REDMARLEY gained valuable breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation with a tense 21-run win away to drop rivals Tetbury in Division One of the Bank House Gloucestershire County League.

The visitors, who lost the toss, were rushed out for only 108 by Alex Evans (4-33), James Meacham (2-15) and Mark Schumm (2-31).

But Tetbury found batting even more challenging against Rob Gummer (4-15), James Holland (3-15) and Mike Alley (2-15) as they folded to 87 all out.

With four games to go, Redmarley are now 37 points ahead of Tetbury who are bottom, and 26 clear of Cam who were beaten by 46 runs at Apperley for whom captain Luke Smith (53) and Rob Birch (51 not) top scored.

Leaders Cirencester were three-wicket home victors against Painswick while Corse & Staunton trumped Westbury-on-Severn and Cheltenham 2nds overcame Kingsholm by eight wickets.

Cinderford St John are the new leaders of Division Two thanks to a five-wicket win away to Thornbury 2nds where Reece Bowkett (5-35) shone.

Previous pacesetters Charlton Kings came up 33 runs short at Poulton for whom Mark Burton (59), Calum Higginson (4-39) and Robbie James (3-19) starred.

Struggling Frocester 3rds enjoyed a 49-run win against Gloucester AIW Sports.

Benn Pockett thumped 98 in Cranham’s 88-run triumph against Stone and an unbeaten 90 from opener Brad Thomas saw Oldlands to a four-wicket home success over Frampton-on-Severn.

Division Three pacesetters Hatherley & Reddings 2nds overwhelmed lowly Lydney 2nds by 100 runs, Dan Midwinter capturing 4-21, while title rivals Chipping Sodbury 2nds lost ground with a four-run home reverse against Rockhampton for whom Nigel Hopkins (67) and Harry Collins (52) were amongst the runs.

Bottom side Lechlade 2nds notched up only their second win of the summer, a six-wicket home triumph over Shurdington thanks to top order runs from David Novais (85), Kam Shah (52) and Abdur Kureshi (59).

Great Rissington defeated Dumbleton 2nds by eight runs while Paul Carter’s 71 and an unbeaten 47 from Richard Hoult were crucial to Gloucester City Winget 2nds’ four-wicket win at Newent.

Opener Mahesh Shetty hammered a remarkable unbeaten 176 from 128 balls (16 fours, nine sixes) for Division Four pacesetters Ullenwood Bharat who overcame Birdlip & Brimpsfield by 63 runs.

Shetty then followed up with 4-20 from five overs and also held a catch to round off a busy afternoon’s work.

Hawkesbury Upton remain tucked in just behind in second after a six-wicket home triumph over Slaughters United, opener George Bailey finishing unbeaten on 65.

Fairford were four-wicket victors at home to Woodpeckers, Aston Ingham won by three wickets at Kings Stanley and Mark Fuller was out for 99 as Witcombe overpowered Sheepscombe by 184 runs, Iain Collins responding with 89 for the visitors.

Gloucester AIW Sports 2nds lead Dymock by only one point at the top of Division Five after a four-wicket home victory against Tewkesbury 2nds, Javed Shaikh and Salim Veshmia taking four wickets apiece.

More than 600 runs were scored at Dymock who edged Bourton Vale 2nds by 39 runs, Harold Senior (97) and captain York Senior (75) leading the way for the home side.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Haresfield Gladiators, Painswick 2nds and Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds.