ALEX Gray pounded an unbeaten 138 but still finished on the losing side as leaders Newent suffered a first reverse of the season in Division Four of the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League, going down by six wickets at home to high-flying rivals Bourton Vale 2nds, writes Steve Hill.

Gray finished with 15 fours and five sixes off 125 balls while there was also 55 from skipper Jack Cowles at the top of the order in an imposing total of 274-3.

But Bourton judged their reply to perfection to get over the line with ten balls to spare, opener Andy Philips (90) and Adam Tarrant (64) leading the way.

Newent remain in pole position but their lead has been trimmed to a point by Bourton.

Dumbleton 2nds are up to third courtesy of a nine-wicket thumping of their Lydney counterparts, Ollie Timperley capturing 3-31 while there were also runs for openers Phil Paterson (54) and Kevin Emery (50 not).

John Garrett (4-32 from nine) shone in Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds’ 119-run victory away to Dymock while James Barnes bagged 5-33, including a hat-trick, as Stone moved off the bottom of the table with an eight-wicket home success against Fairford.

And 102 from skipper Nitin Shetty paved the way for Birdlip & Brimpsfield to trump Tewkesbury 2nds by 74 runs, Llewelyn Hancox also claiming 3-22.

Division One leaders Apperley overcame Poulton by 95 runs, Dave Means top scoring with 68 and Louis Hamilton racing to figures of 5-16 from eight.

Lydney slipped up by three wickets at home to Thornbury 2nds who moved up to second with Ed Webb dismissed for 96.

Benny Ellis reached 115 in Charlton Kings’ 106-run home success over Kingsholm, and Chipping Sodbury bowled out bottom side Gloucester AIW Sports for 63 and a 168-run victory.

Division Two pacesetters Cam were three wicket home winners over Westbury-on-Severn, despite Dan Hockaday’s superb return of 6-30.

Aston Ingham stay second after a tie away to Woodmancote Saints. The visitors were all out for 140 before Saints ended their 45 overs on 140-9, Ollie O’Neill claiming 3-15 from nine.

Shurdington lost ground with a six-wicket slip at Oldlands for whom opener Brad Thomas was unbeaten on 96, and there was a first win for Ullenwood Bharat who trumped Hatherley & Reddings 2nds by 58 runs, Ryan Douglas shining with figures of 5-31.

And in the last game in this division, Chipping Campden were 111-run victors at Cinderford St John.

Division Three leaders Langford marched on with a 99-run win at Frampton-on-Severn while Hawkesbury Upton stay second after a three-wicket success at Tetbury, skipper Jay Westwood unbeaten on 60.

Frocester 3rds rushed past Woodpeckers by eight wickets, Rockhampton 2nds overcame their Chipping Sodbury counterparts by 140 runs and Great Rissington were 46-run victors at home to Cranham, Mike Scarrott taking 4-35.

Jamie Bish hit 65 for King’s Stanley who recorded only their second win in Division Five, defeating Minchinhampton by five wickets, while fellow strugglers Haresfield Gladiators went down by four runs at home to Sheepscombe, Sam Horder holding his nerve at the death for figures of 3-26.

John Wilkinson was unbeaten on 96 for Charlton Kings 2nds who lost by eight wickets away to their Corse & Staunton counterparts.

Opener Andy Cox’s unbeaten 111 spurred Division Six leaders Cricklade to a five-wicket win chasing 259 away to Gloucester AIW Sports 2nds while Russell Beecham’s burst of 5-19 featured a hat-trick for Kingsholm 2nds who crushed Lechlade by ten wickets.

Skipper Robin Smith stroked 114 for Hatherley & Reddings 3rds in a 154-run home defeat of Poulton 2nds in Division Seven while Arron Williams was unbeaten on 102 for Westbury-on-Severn 2nds who overcame Charfield by 154 runs.