Fairford First XI made it three wins on the spin after they overcame Cheltenham Civil Service.

Openers Charlie Bailey and Jon Welch bowled good first spells with Bailey bowling Tim Houghton for 12.

Following the breakthrough Fairford turned to spin as Kevin Smart and Harvey New both showed excellent control.

A useful partnership between Civil service captain Mark Febery and Martin Williams gave them momentum but Tom Dutton broke them up – bowling both Williams and Harrod in successive overs while Febery was run out by Welch. Colin Bullock bowled with good variation and had two in two balls – and although the hattrick ball was safely negotiated, Fairford looked to finish off the innings. Alastair Maxwell hit 32 not out to take the total to 173 all out with a stumping and another run-out (both Chris Hart) finished the innings. Dutton and Bullock opened the batting for Fairford. The left arm swing of Steve Bridge was hard to get away, his nine overs going for just 12 runs and, having both openers dropped was unlucky not to be amongst the wickets. Graham Hobbs had both openers caught at slip and Civil Service were back in it.

Fairford’s Clayton then made a match winning 74 not-out before Muir (20) and Hart (34) took Fairford to victory. The win takes Fairford to third.