Bank House Gloucestershire Cricket League Division 2

Oldlands 132 all out lost to Gloucester AIW 133 for 8 by two wickets

Oldlands will be disappointed once again to reflect on a lack of application whilst batting that let another winnable game slip to a defeat.

With five players getting themselves in and progressing their score into the teens, not one advanced into the twenties and it was left to Matt Gardner (19) in a ninth wicket stand of 36, the highest of the innings, to help post a reasonably competitive score.

Pick of the home bowlers was Mohammad Aamir who consistently made the ball spit viciously out of the rough of a dry, crumbling wicket that was likely to deteriorate further as the game progressed.

Dave Walton opened up with a superb spell with the new ball, a lifting delivery forcing Abu Saleh to glove behind to Bobby Woolams in the first over and bowling fellow opener Uzair Salehbhai in the third to give the visitors hope.

A partnership of 55 then put the home side in control before the introduction of Steve Pennington saw good catches from Steve Allen and Doug Walton put the game once more in the balance.

Two more wickets for Pennington (9 overs 4 for 15) then reduced AIW to 82 for 6 and despite two more wickets for Walton ( 9 overs 4 for 25) in his second spell, including an excellent catch by Jack Higgs, and several close run out chances the solid batting of home skipper Ahmedi Saleh saw his side home with just two wickets remaining.

Another excellent afternoon of exciting cricket, and another game played in excellent spirit between the two teams.