AVENING owed their victory to a well-struck century from Stewart Hudd and a fine all-round performance from captain Jay Richings.

Sweetfuels CDCA Div Two

Avening & Cherington 203-5

Fairford II 179-7

Hudd came to the wicket in the first over as the first of two tumbling catches by Paul Freeman accounted for opener Lloyd Price. He made Fairford pay for the two chances dropped on his way to an impressive 102.

Richings provided the main support, scoring a fluent 62 not out.

Fairford's bowlers stuck to their task well, particularly Tom Freeman and the unlucky Colin Denness, who managed to keep the home side's scoring rate around five runs per over in the second half of their innings.

Guy Bailey returned at the end to take two wickets and effect a run-out off the last ball.

Avening & Cherington's 203-5 looked more daunting as the visitors lost their first three wickets cheaply, struggling to establish a platform. However, the middle and lower order made a spirited effort to stay in the match.

Rich Cowley (32) and Colin Denness (34) injected some much-needed momentum and Guy Bailey (16), Mike Bowman (29no) and Tom Freeman (19no) gave it their all.

However, Fairford fell 24 runs short, finishing on 179-7. Richings was the pick of the home bowlers with 3-28 and he was well supported in particular by opener Andy Smith, whose 10 overs cost just 21 runs.