A HEAVILY-DEPLETED Cirencester second X1 proved no match for unbeaten leaders Ullenwood Bharat who cruised to a seven-wicket win in The Park.

Readers Glos CCL Div Four

Cirencester II 127-5

Ullenwood Bharat 128-3

Put in to bat, the Town side struggled for runs against accurate bowling from Hill and Hoult, the latter conceding just nine runs off as many overs.

An unusually subdued Andy Cooper eventually fell for four in the 13th over and Dominic Jeffcott and Toby Bond fared little better as they ground out a half-century stand which saw Town limited to 68-1 at the 30-over mark.

Jeffcott was then run out for 33 and Bond followed for 37 and although Dick Tugwell (21no) and Rob Watson (10no) increased the run rate in the closing overs the Town were restricted to 127-5 when the 45 overs elapsed, Tugwell clinching a second batting point with a six off the last ball.

Patrick Peak then took a simple return catch in his first over after tea and followed up by clean bowling Mark Leach.

However, none of the Town bowlers were able to contain the powerful hitting of Jitesh Thammisetti who looked a class player as he amassed a rapid 79 before eventually holing out to Watson off Andy Hunt.

Ullenwood were already home and dry by then and duly completed victory in the 23rd over.

CIRENCESTER thirds saw their CDCA Division Three title hopes suffer a second successive setback as they slumped to defeat by 100 runs at Slaughters seconds.

The hosts put the Town bowling to the sword when batting first, rattling up a total of 269-4 from their 40 overs.

Ian Frost and Tom Rutter compiled half-centuries when the Town replied, the latter recording his maiden 50 in senior cricket, but the visitors were restricted to 169-4 when the overs elapsed.