WEPL Premier Two

Lechlade 316-6; Keynsham 310-9

A NEW opening partnership and another imperious unbeaten ton from Bradley Dial saw Lechlade end a four-game losing streak with their narrow win over Keynsham on a glorious day at the Manor Ground.

With Paul Godding injured and Miles Hammond on Gloucestershire duty, Lechlade's new opening pair Benny Ellis (34) and Ryan Higgins (65) raced to 109 in only 15 overs with some excellent strokeplay.

The introduction of Tom Bryan and Cameron Herring into the attack saw both openers depart and the run rate was suddenly brought under control.

Dial, by his own high standards, made a tentative start and Joe Breet was trying to build a much-needed innings. Nevertheless, the partnership added 80 in reasonable time and had taken the score to 190 before Breet (26) was caught. The innings lost some momentum as Martin, Killham and Offord made little contribution but by now Brad Dial was at his free-flowing best.

Tristan Hawkes (20*) made sure that Dial had the majority of the strike and in the last six overs the pair added 81 runs to take the score to 316-6.

Dial ended the innings on 138* taking his tally to 790 in nine games with an average of 158!

A good score, but Keynsham got away even faster than Lechlade with Sellers, Hawkes and Martin all proving expensive with far too many wides and no-balls.

Sellers then turned to Joe Breet (2-32), who has not been a regular performer with the ball, and he finally made the breakthrough removing both openers and giving his captain some control.

At drinks Keynsham had reached 160-2 with their Gloucestershire player, Herring, looking in control. Immediately after drinks, though, Luke Sellers made an excellent diving stop at point and Herring, thinking the ball was past him, was left stranded in mid-pitch.

With runs still flowing freely Sellers and then Hawkes returned to the attack and began to pick up wickets, although Keynsham still only needed seven an over. With 59 needed off six overs and with only two wickets left Lechlade looked well placed but Keynsham entered the final over needing 11 to win. However, Hawkes (4-60) conceded only four runs and Lechlade left the field delighted, and a little relieved, to end their four-match losing streak.

The 2nd XI were well beaten by Burbage & Eastern Royal who take over at the top of the Wiltshire 2nd Division.