FROCESTER powered to a six-wicket victory over Chippenham on Saturday, lifting them to third in the Premier 2 table, writes Eric Woodmason.

There was a tinge of green in the pitch at Pounds Close, so Uzi Qureshi, winning the toss, invited the visitors to bat first.

However, they made a solid start against an accurate Frocester seam attack. Chris Liddle ,and Tom Drake picked up wickets, and with a fortuitous run -out, Chippenham were teetering at 120-4. Alex Russell then picked up the first of four wickets and with Andy Solomons trapping Steve Silk leg before, the visitors were in trouble at 156-6.

But, Graham Van Buuren remained, and, although Alex Russell finished his 10 over spell with 4-37, Van Buuren opened his shoulders in the final overs, striking three huge sixes off consecutive deliveries from Andy Solomons. He fell to Chris Liddle in the final over for a fine innings of 94 that lifted the Chippenham total to 238-9 in 50 overs.

After the early dismissal of Solomons, bowled by Van Buuren, Callum Gegg and Uzi Qureshi struggled for runs against the Chippenham spin attack. Gegg fell for 34 and Chris Liddle followed with 14 to his name, with the total at 75-3 from 19 overs. Will Naish then joined his skipper in a 46 run partnership which gave Frocester a base to attack. Qureshi fell for a fine 46, with Ashley Davis now joining the 15 year-old Naish, who was the dominant partner in a match-winning partnership of 121.

Both batted superbly, with Davis striking one four and three sixes in 48 not out, whilst Naish smashed five fours and five sixes in an incredible 85 not out as Frocester reached their target with two overs to spare.

Frocester won the regional final of the National Village KO, defeatiung Corse and Staunton by 133 runs.

Ashley Davis (80) and Chris Whincup (48) and Dan Whincup (33) top scored in a Frocester total of 261-6 in 40 overs. Corse and Staunton were bowled out for 128 in 27 overs, with Angus Gegg (3-36), Richie Cave (3-29) and Chad Trainor (3-26) the main destroyers.

Frocester now visit Ynystawe on Sunday, June 23.

Frocester visit Stroud on Saturday in a much-anticipated local derby.