FROCESTER maintained their Premier 2 title challenge with a three-wicket victory over Corsham on Saturday and it was a more comfortable victory than the margin might suggest, writes Eric Woodmason.

Corsham won the toss and batted first on a slightly green wicket, making a quick start against the pace of Solomons and Worgan. However, Worgan captured two wickets in an over to reduce the visitors to 19-2. They recovered slightly, but, when Liddle bowled Tom Smith with the total on 44, the writing was on the Corsham wall. Alex Russell then tore through the middle order, capturing 4-27 as they slumped to 74-7. Liddle, Drake and Solomons each then captured one wicket each as the visitors were dismissed for 107 in 30 overs.

Frocester should have made very light work of chasing this target, but, once again , the batters made life difficult for themselves. At 36-1 from eight overs, it looked as though the game was heading for a quick finish. But, a series of poor shots led to the regular fall of wickets and, at 84-7, some nerves started to jangle. It was left to Dan Whincup (25 not out) and Nick Trainor (10 not out) with a 24 run partnership, the largest of the innings to take Frocester to victory in the 27th over.

Next Saturday, Frocester travel to Dumbleton, looking to increase the pressure on Thornbury and Chippenham above them in the table.

On Sunday, Frocester travelled to Ynystawe in the first national round of the Village KO. They bowled the home team out for 54, with Dan Cave (3-15), Angus Gegg (2-11) and Chad Trainor (3-16) the main destroyers. However, the rain then arrived, preventing any further play. Ynystawe will now make the journey to Frocester next Sunday, play starting at 1pm.