Stroud and South Gloucestershire U11 (87) lost to Cheltenham and Cotswolds U11 (160-7) by 73 runs

A FINE 47 by Cirencester opener Sam Howell helped Cheltenham and Cotswold (CC) to victory over Stroud and South Gloucestershire (SSG).

Howell and Freddie Drysdale (Winchcombe) got their side off to a solid start, scoring 48 in just eight overs before Drysdale was caught by Gregory Messer (Thornbury) off the bowling of Owen Lingard (Winterbourne).

Hamish Brook made 24 before being dismissed in the 19th over with the score on 115.

CC lost three quick wickets as Matthew Pound (Downend) and Daniel Brownlie (Frocester) kept it tight.

Howell was bowled by Pound for an excellent 47, leaving Joel Birchmore (Charlton Kings) to finish the innings off with an aggressive knock of 19 not out.

The SSG innings started slowly with Lingard and Nathan Saunders playing watchfully.

They reached 11-0 off six overs before the introduction of spin swung the game in the visitors’ favour.

Amith James (Cheltenham) collected the wickets of both Saunders and Chaka Tomalin in his second over.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals before Jack Glew (18) of Frocester and Brownlie (11) offered some late resistance.

But it was never going to be enough as CC returned to winning ways with a good all-round performance.