Gloucestershire County Cricket League

Cinderford (162-8) lost to Frampton-on-Severn (163-8) by two wickets

A DEPLETED Frampton side picked up a fine win at Cinderford.

Frampton had only five regular first team players available.

The game was curtailed after an early shower to a 42-over game.

Winning the toss, Frampton chose to bowl and made an excellent start, Nick Peacey catching an outswinger from Craig Barnfield to remove Nigel Cartwright for a duck.

Lee Merchant found his line and length but wickets and runs were both hard to come by until the 19th over when Sam Baker was caught by Tom Warren off Dan Halsey.

Simon Gwynne and Ed Ruck followed shortly after bringing Julian Kibble to the wicket.

Mark House supported well and the pair put on a super partnership of 40 before House was caught on the boundary from a stunning overhead catch from Matt Cayless for 20.

Kibble hit a top score of 58, including three sixes and five fours, to help Cinderford amass a respectable total.

Craig Barnfield the star man with the ball, with figures of 9-0-21-4 with Halsey claiming 8-2-11-2

Frampton found themselves two down after the first seven overs but Cayless and Warren took on the bowling attack.

Cayless was finding the boundary with ease but Cartwright took a sharp catch at short fine leg sharp to remove him for 32.

Warren was now the key to any sniff of success.

The next three batsmen fell foul to some interesting umpiring decisions which left Frampton on 100-7 in the 24th over.

Gareth Evans supported Warren for a magnificent 14 overs, using his skill in defence to maintain his wicket.

Warren was relentless in attack and made his way on to 87, only to be bowled by Sam Baker with just two runs needed for the win.

Third team player Tom Johns faced three dot balls and then whacked the ball for a two to secure a very well deserved win with four overs remaining.