Gloucestershire County League Division One: Oldlands (113-8) beat Fairford (112-9) by two wickets (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire County League Division One: Oldlands (113-8) beat Fairford (112-9) by two wickets

4:42pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

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Oldlands were relegated from Division One despite beating Fairford in their final game of the season.

With the recent poor weather having denied them the opportunity to repair the damage done to their league position, Oldlands’ fate was out of their own hands.

Their victory celebrations were short lived as news from Poulton filtered through that in pursuit of a target of 179, Gloucester AIW had subsided to a feeble 49 all out.

On a damp wicket, things began encouragingly enough for the home side with Brad Thomas (4-29), Mike Coulborn (4-32) and Dave Walton (1-24) restricting the visitors.

Despite the early loss of Thomas, lbw to the impressive Winston Jones (6-20), a typically aggressive start from Bobby Woolams (22) had taken the score to 34-1 and what seemed to be the platform for a comfortable victory.

However, as has been the case for much of the season, the home side’s batting frailties meant that a flurry of wickets saw fortunes quickly turn and at 60-6 the visitors found themselves firm favourites.

Steve Heaven (24) and Dave Walton (18) then looked to steady matters, but yet again both were dispatched in quick succession, and at 88-8 the game again looked to be slipping away.

With the Fairford side now buoyant at the prospects of pulling off a famous victory, it was left to George Pennington (10*) and Steve Pennington (11*) to see their side home to a nail-biting last over win with a determined, unbeaten ninth wicket stand of 25.

Gloucestershire County League Division Nine Oldlands II (234) beat Gloucester Harlequins II (45) by 189 runs

Oldlands secured the division nine title in emphatic style on Saturday with the demolition of Gloucester Harlequins.

Batting first and in trouble early on with six wickets falling cheaply, Oldlands’ innings was rescued by the powerful hitting of Pete Waite in smashing his way to 102, a knock that included nine huge sixes.

Well supported by Stuart Reeve (54), the Oldlands total proved to be too challenging for the home side, as the visitors comfortably claimed the win that took them to the title.

Everyone has made a significant contribution to the success of the side at some stage throughout the season.