Bank House Glos CCL Div One

Cirencester 162-8

Westbury-on-Severn 97 all out

CIRENCESTER increased their lead in division one of the Bank House-sponsored county league on Saturday after defeating third-placed Westbury-on-Severn by 65 runs, writes Matt Carter.

Home skipper Gareth Williams won the toss and given the conditions did not hesitate to bat first.

Westbury's opening bowlers Jonathan Hargreaves (1-29) and Greg Artus (2-30) started off brilliantly, swinging the new ball around corners and producing some unplayable deliveries, one of which did for the in-form Jamie Jamieson-Black (0).

Williams (1) went in the next over, bowled by Hargreaves, which left the home team reeling at 5-2.

Jono Jamieson-Black (23) and William Mason (21) repaired the early damage with a much-needed partnership, however the visitors continued picking up wickets at regular intervals stunting the recovery. Captain Dan Hockaday (2-28) proved particularly difficult to get off the square.

Rob Lamble (23) provided some relief for the home side with a big six over mid-on against the run of play. Tom Fullalove (28) also hit some sweet shots over mid-on, one six going into Cirencester Park.

Fortunately for Town the tail wagged with numbers eight to 10 adding 50 crucial runs to the total through excellent running and power hitting.

Ross Jeffels finished a dynamic knock on 25 while Billy Breen (16*) and Simon Rowe (9*) batted to the close taking their side to a competitive 162-8 from their allotted 45 overs.

With Jeffels (3-11) and Breen (4-25) both returning to the side this week and opening the bowling, Town knew they had the fire power to defend their efforts with the bat.

Both bowlers were relentless in their accuracy and skill.

Breen bounced out two batsmen with excellent throat-high deliveries. Jeffels meanwhile was swinging the ball late into the right-handed batsmen. It was Jeffels who picked up the prized wicket of the league's top run-scorer Jon Tegg (8) caught down the leg side.

Breen and Jeffels bowled straight through, ending with combined figures of 18 overs, seven maidens, 36 runs and seven wickets.

At this point Cirencester were looking for an early finish, however Hargreaves (8*) and Ed Edington (28) provided a good rearguard leaving the bowlers frustrated until the 37th over when Williams took the last wicket with the first ball of his spell.

Off spinner Jono Jamieson-Black bowled a tight spell at the other end producing six maidens from eight overs bowled.

The win sees Cirencester go 45 points clear of nearest rivals Kingsholm in the table. This week they travel to the Victoria Ground to face Cheltenham's 2nd XI.