Gloucestershire County League Division Two

Oldlands 133 all out lost to Charlton Kings 205-9 by 72 runs

OLDLAND’S fragile batting line-up once again let them down at Charlton Kings on Saturday when chasing what appeared to be a par score of 205 from the home side.

On losing the toss and bowling and fielding pretty well, the visitors would certainly have been satisfied with their efforts in the first half of the game.

Pick of the bowlers was Dave Brookes (5-41), his first five wicket return, with other wickets for Steve Pennington (2-33), Dave Walton (1-30) and Stuart Reeves (1-39), supported by two good catches from both Pennington and Bobby Woolams and a diving effort from Jim Wright.

The Oldlands’ reply then began well with Brad Thomas and Nick Grove posting a half-century opening stand before the dismissal of Thomas (26) saw a calamitous collapse with Brookes, Woolams, Doug Walton and Wright following in quick succession.

Dave Walton (18) then provided Grove with support and momentarily raised a little hope before a wonderful one-handed diving catch in the gully extinguished those remote expectations.

And once Grove was caught and bowled for 43, the innings eventually limped through to a total of 133 and to ultimately a very disappointing defeat.