Pratt Cup. Kingswood Village (135-6) beat North Nibley (124 a.o.) by 11 runs

A spirited fight back by North Nibley's skipper, John Holcombe, straight from his sick bed, almost brought off a shock Pratt Cup win at Kingswood.

Batting first, Kingswood were again indebted to Iain Green. Mike Colborn (13), Rob Austen (14) and Guy Lendon (19) each reached the teens but no more. as Nibley`s Ben Evans, Rich Townend, Rob Eden, Henry Patteson and John Holcombe took a wicket apiece.

It took Green's 44 off 26 balls to post a decent, but not commanding, 135-6.

Nibley scarcely got going. Pinned back by 16-year-old Callum Niddrie`s miserly one run per over pace, they succumbed to Green (2-23) and Guy Lendon (3-19), a wicket each to Chas Walwin, Vince Taylor and Angus McCubbin  and run outs by Tony Green and McCubbin.

Only Adrian Sherratt (19) and Rob Marlow (16) reached double figures. At 92-9 and just three overs left, Nibley looked out of the game until the arrival at no.10 of ailing skipper Holcombe.

His 27 off just 16 balls all but turned the game until a fine boundary catch by Rob Austen halted the valiant chase just 12 runs short of victory.