LEADERS Avening & Cherington faltered in their bid to win the SweetFuels CDCA Division One title as they lost heavily at home to Sherston Magna.

The visitors batted soundly after being inserted and a fine innings from Matt Goodwin (75) saw them to a very competitive total of 178 all out. After tea the hosts struggled in the conditions and good bowling from Andy Pegg (3-36), then James Harmer (3-16), restricted the table-toppers to 126 all out.

A close match at Williamstrip Park saw visitors Oaksey beaten by improving Williamstrip. The hosts were asked to bat and got off to a good start through an excellent partnership of 106 between Froy Litherland (67) and Steve Bennett (49).

The introduction of the slower bowlers brought the breakthrough as Phil Biggs (5-39) and Phil Cassrels (2-33) took regular wickets as they restricted Williamstrip to 173 all out.

In reply the Oaksey top order batted well with Tom Cook (57) top-scoring. However, tight bowling from Steve Reeves (3-23) kept the Oaksey run-chase in check. As wickets fell the lower order could not accelerate and Oaksey fell seven runs short of victory on 167-9.

Barnsley Beeches kept up the pressure at the top with a comfortable win at home to NATS. Batting first the hosts took maximum batting points as they eased to 201 all out. The highlight was a fine century from Rob Howard (102) but there was also some fine bowling from Graham Bartlett (6-20). After the break NATS lost regular wickets and only Andrew Phillips (42) threatened to challenge the Barnsley score. A good spell from Andrew Coulter (3-19) finished off the NATS innings on 126 all out.

Cricklade consolidated their third position with an easy win over struggling Stow-on-the-Wold at Southam.

The visitors were inserted and were rocked by the early loss of skipper Ash Andrews. A steady knock from Ben Close (30) provided some hope but the wily Angelo Rigali (4-24) took out four of the top five and Mike Mabbatt (3-8) cleaned up the tail to leave visitors Stow all out for 105. Cricklade, too, lost an early wicket but a solid partnership between Tom Davies (42) and Danny Lloyd (32*) put them in pole position. Mike Mabbatt (19 off 10 balls) then smashed them to an easy victory at 106-3 in the 27th over.

Another easy win was witnessed at Adlestrop where the hosts scored a tidy 193-6 against visitors Oakridge.

Matt Barnes (85*) was forced to retire but his good work was carried on by Sam Keen (42). For Oakridge, Richard Minchin bowled a very tight opening spell but the wickets were taken by Richard Heath (3-51) and Dan McLaughlin (2-55).

Without the Robbins brothers the Oakridge batsmen could not cope with the Adlestrop opening attack as Sam Keen (7-21) ran through them with some fine bowling to end the game at 46 all out after only 18 overs.