West Of England Premier Two

Cheltenham 269-9; Lechlade 308-6

A GLORIOUS 164 not out from South African star Bradley Dial laid the foundations for Lechlade's victory on their first game in Premier Two.

Gloucestershire 2nd XI player Miles Hammond, on loan to Lechlade, also made a fine contribution with 35 runs.

On a day promising rain, Lechlade won the toss and decided to bat at Cheltenham.

Hammond and Sam Burdock soon had the scoreboard rattling along but with 64 on the board both fell in the 10th over within two balls.

Captain Joe Breet soon followed and when Freddie Martin chipped to mid-wicket the innings was in trouble at 69-4. Brad Dial soon got the scoreboard moving again with the help of Benny Ellis (11), the pair putting on 50 for the fifth wicket. But when Ellis hit one in the air and was quickly followed by Ryan Higgins the innings was again stuttering at 139-6, although there were still 25 overs left.

Dial was joined by the experienced Paul Godding who quickly realised that his job was to keep Dial company while the young Springbok began to take control.

With six overs remaining the pair had taken Lechlade to 221. Dial completed his century off 92 balls, however, it was the last four overs which proved crucial as he took his score to 164 *, hitting the ball out of the ground on three occasions.

With Godding (39*) able to rotate the strike the pair put on an unbeaten 169 and took the Lechlade total to 308-6.

Cheltenham began confidently with Pete Woodhead (34) and Mike Kelly adding 93 for the first wicket in only 16 overs. The introduction of leg spinner David Novais gave Lechlade some control and with Hammond settling down after a difficult start the pressure began to build.

Keiran Smith (53) kept the scoreboard moving but he fell to Freddie Martin (4-41) and while several other Cheltenham batsmen got a start the scoreboard pressure proved too much, and they finished on 269-9.

Amazingly, Cheltenham had been ahead of the Lechlade score until the 47th over, emphasising the importance of Dial’s final onslaught.

While captain Breet was pleased with their 39-run victory he will be looking for more from his middle order and, in particular, will hope his bowlers can give him more control in the weeks to come.