FAIRFORD suffered a blow in their promotion bid on Saturday as leaders Langford took a further step towards the Gloucestershire County League Division Four title with a six wicket victory.

It was only the third defeat for Fairford this season, and the third placed side are now eight points behind Great Rissington, who occupy the other promotion spot behind Langford.

Fairford batted first and lost early wickets to put them on 8-2 at one stage. However they recovered with some mid-order batting to get to 120 before the fifth wicket went down.

And, having reached 142-6, their seventh wicket was lost. From there, Fairford struggled to reach the 150 mark and managed to finish their knock on 169 all out.

Fairford took an early wicket when Langford opener Jeremy Kirby was bowled for a duck but, from there, the home side set out their stall with some solid cricket to finish on 170-4 and seal the win.