LECHLADE are just two wins away from retaining the County Cup after securing a 15-run victory at Frenchay CC.

Gloucestershire County Cup

Frenchay 284-8

Lechlade 299-8

Lechlade, batting first, posted a respectable 299 off their 45 overs with the top and middle order all generally cashing in, with Asanka Vithanage (52), Joe Breet (40), Oli Thornley (47) and captain Arran Dickinson (63) all contributing heavily.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 171 between Pavraj Lochab (111) and Martin Blackmoore (58) did look to put the Lechlade total under threat. But the visitors battled away and Frenchay failed to get over the line needing 26 off the last two overs with four wickets in hand.

Dickinson said: “I think we deserved the win in the end but we certainly made hard work of it. "Not having a full-strength bowling line-up clearly hindered us and with only three recognised bowlers we were obviously below our best in this area and that kept them in the game.”

Lechlade will now hope to avoid Premier League side Frocester in the semi final as they attempt to defend the Cup won last year at their first attempt.