Gecko CDCA Div Two
North Cerney 138-9
Fairford II 140-3
FAIRFORD 2nd XI enjoyed a comfortable seven-wicket win at North Cerney's picturesque ground on Saturday.

Tom Sealey was the star of the show with a powerful 77 not out as the visitors chased down North Cerney's 138-9 with 18 overs to spare.

The home side won the toss and opted to bat first with the sun shining down on a good wicket and fast outfield including a short boundary down the hill towards Rendcomb College.

Opener Steve Lamble top-scored with 35, including several trademark cover drives. However, Fairford produced an excellent all-round team effort in the field to restrict North Cerney to around three an over throughout their innings.

All five bowlers took wickets, two each for Jack Grierson and Louis Cusack and one apiece for Will Findlay-Wilson, Kurt Eyre and debutant Steve Caldwell.

They were backed up by some great catches and ground fielding (including two run-outs) with Jordan Coxhead setting the standard.

Sealey signalled his intent early in the visitors' reply, getting off the mark with a six high over square leg. He struck five more sixes as he batted Fairford to victory, ably supported by Cusack and Mike Bowman, who scored 22 each before being bowled, both unluckily playing on.

James Alborough came in to hit the winning runs, caressing the only ball he faced to the extra cover boundary to take the visitors to 140-3 in the 22nd over of their innings.