WEST OF ENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE

PREMIER TWO GLOS/WILTS

Burbage & Easton Royal 238 all out

Lechlade 240-4

LECHLADE got their title challenge back on track with a well-paced run chase which reached the target set by Burbage in the penultimate over.

Lechlade captain Freddie Martin lost the toss and the home side chose to bat on what looked to be an indifferent wicket.

However Burbage skipper David Cope set off at a run a ball and although having whatever luck was going the hosts had taken the score to 99 before Benny Ellis bowled Cope for 64.

In his next over Ellis trapped fellow opener Jon Chandler in front for 19 but by drinks Burbage had 119 on the board.

Sixteen-year-old Jacob David-Ward went for 11 off his first over but completed a tidy and promising spell of six overs for only 21 runs at a time when Burbage were looking to accelerate.

None of the Lechlade bowlers could make a breakthrough and at 175-2 after 36 overs a big score still looked likely. Occasional bowler Tom Young was thrown the ball and a double wicket maiden in his third over changed the game.

Ellis (3-36) and Liam Smith (2-30) returned and took a further three wickets and with Freddie Martin bowling Bevan Small for 45 Burbage had slumped to 213-8.

Some lusty hitting by Oliver Lavis (29no) got them up to 238 off their 50 overs, a challenging total on a wicket which was playing slower and lower.

Joe Breet and James Palmer (15) got Lechlade off to a steady start of 45 but after a glorious straight six Palmer chipped tamely to square leg.

Brad Dial came in but never really seemed at home and eventually chopped on to Nicholas Cook (2-42) for 13.

Breet was playing some good glances and drives but within one of his 50 he came down the wicket to Chandler and was easily stumped by Lorrain, to leave Lechlade wobbling at 95-3 shortly before drinks.

Martin joined Ellis and together they put together a 77-run partnership at the required rate of five an over before Martin was run out for 32 going for a risky second run.

Man-of-the-match Ellis (61), was showing his increasing maturity, putting away his more expansive shots and taking the ones and twos all around the wicket.

He was joined by Young (46 in 45 balls) batting down the order and he displayed all his experience, defending resolutely but also hitting some telling boundaries. The partnership reached 67 in the penultimate over to take Lechlade to a six-wicket victory and back to the top of the table.