FAIRFORD seconds 2nds beat Coates away by six wickets in a game which the home side deserve great credit for staging, given the heavy rain in the run-up and poor forecast for the afternoon.

Sweetfuels CDCA Div Two Coates 83 all out Fairford II 85-4 Asked to bat first, Coates began positively, despite Fairford's opening bowlers taking a wicket each to sharp catches behind the stumps by David Taylor. Their innings was delicately poised at 65-3 when the players were forced off by the only shower of the afternoon.

The very first ball after the break was a perfect away-swinger from Guy Bailey which the dangerous Jay Russell nicked to Simon Embleton-Smith for a well-made 22. Bailey and young Oliver Holland proceeded to bowl exceptionally well, skittling out the home side for only 83 in the 25th over. Holland bowled several unplayable deliveries and was only denied a 5-for by a dropped catch in his last over.

His figures of 4-21 were good enough but still bettered by Bailey, whose height, angles and movement brought him the well-deserved rewards of 4-9.

Fairford were made to sweat on their way to their small victory target, as the hosts bowled tightly to cannily-set fields. Two wickets fell early and when Booooom ended David Taylor's resolute defence for 17, followed by a second wicket in the same over, the visiting players on the sidelines grew noticeably more twitchy.

However, Embleton-Smith played the decisive innings in the match, scoring seven boundaries on the way to 41no as Fairford got over the line in the 30th over.

Booooom and Mark Hayes took 2-19 and 2-21 respectively, each from their full 10 overs.