CGF Div One East
Cheltenham Civil Service III 142 all out
Birdlip & Brimpsfield II 143-6

THE elder statesmen of the Birdlip 2nds team starred in the four-wicket win over Cheltenham Civil Service 3rds after a middle-order collapse looked to cost the visitors the match.

Phil Dickenson removed both Chelt CS openers for single figures and then Tom Parsons carried his bat to an unbeaten 63 which guided his team to victory after a succession of cheap Birdlip wickets.

The home side were dismissed for 142 in the 36th over with Andy Williams (3-18) the pick of the Birdlip's bowlers.

Occasional bowler Ken Griffith added three more wickets to his tally after a five-wicket haul last week. Chelt CS had middle-order batsmen Jacob Day and Vinay Sugur to thank – they both reached their 30s to push the score along – but it was a barren top order and a poor tail end.

Parsons watched on steadfast as Birdlip made hard work early on in chasing down the home side's total.

Thankfully, with Kevin Blackburn joining him at the crease, the innings stabilised and the runs increased.

The partnership saw Parsons reach his half century and despite Dave Softley removing Blackburn for 28, the victory was in sight.

Aided by Brad Jacques, Parsons guided Birdlip home inside 30 overs. Sugur backed up his batting performance by being pick of the bowlers with 3-21 off eight overs.