FOLLOWING last weekend’s disappointing display vs Dumbleton, Cirencester returned to action on Saturday against an Apperley side also promoted from the County league last season.

Upon winning the toss stand in captain Andy Reynolds had no hesitation in asking the hosts to bat first on a wicket that looked as though it would offer some early assistance to the bowlers.

Opening bowlers William Mason and Billy Breen toiled away in an excellent display of seam bowling but unfortunately no wickets fell.

After 16 overs the introduction of Tom Fullalove got Cirencester the breakthrough, removing opener Means.

At drinks Apperley were well poised at 123-1 with 25 overs still to bat. Cirencester turned to the first XI debutant James Waller who bowled a fantastic spell returning with figures of 4-42 and restricting the hosts to 215-8.

Cirencester’s opening batsmen Mason and Jamie Jamieson-Black made like work of the opening pace bowlers of Louis Hamilton and Overseas player Lutho Nkanjeni getting the reply off to a blistering start, with Jamieson-Black falling for 33, it bought Ben Moody to the crease.

Moody gave good to support to Mason before the latter fell to a good catch in the deep for an entertaining 59.

From then on Moody (77 not out) caressed the ball to the fence with ease and even muscled the first 6 of his career into the adjacent field from the bowling of Hamilton.

Cirencester cruised to victory with more than eight overs to spare ensuring a six wicket victory.

This week sees Cirencester welcome Bourton Vale to the Park and will hope for an improved performance from their last home match.