OLD Bristolians Westbury are almost back in the West of England Premier League after overcoming nearest rivals Bristol YMCA by 116 runs, writes Steve Hill.

The Failand-based club pulled 26 points clear at the top of the Martin Berrill Bristol & District League’s Senior Division thanks to this win.

And with just four more rounds of games to go, OB Westbury are edging towards being mathematically certain of regaining their place in WEPL after dropping down in 2017.

Openers Ollie Meadows and Fin Yates put the home side on their way with a partnership of 96, laying foundations for a total of 223.

Yates was run out for 51 and Meadows dismissed for 48 as skipper John Colley bagged 3-42 while there were also two wickets apiece for Tayyab Riaz and Andy Parkinson. But YMCA then came up well short with the bat, folding from 85-5 to 107 all out as Rupert Swetman (5-6 from 3.1) made inroads.

Third-placed Shirehampton skittled Nailsea for 96 ahead of romping to a nine-wicket triumph. Charlie Weare led the way with a burst of 4-3 before opener Phil Hughes thumped an unbeaten 51.

Nailsea, in eighth, are now just seven points clear of Coalpit Heath who were eight-run victors away to Keynsham 2nds.

Openers Tom Foley (45) and Dave Hilton (39) dominated the visitors’ challenge of 183-9, Simon Knowles finishing with fine figures of 5-28 from nine.

But despite Callum Westbrook’s 70, Keynsham came up just short with Pete Lamb, Owen Edwards and Jack Williams bagging two wickets apiece.

Pak Bristolians’ lead at the top of Division One was cut to five points following a 31-run reverse away to Downend 2nds for whom Andy McEwan top scored on an unbeaten 105 and followed up with 4-18 of leg spin.

Bedminster 2nds, who are chasing the second promotion spot, overcame their Knowle counterparts by 17 runs while Winterbourne 2nds are up to third after trumping Portishead by 103-runs in a rain-reduced 40-over contest.

Opener Owen Lingard (97) top scored in Winterbourne’s 204-4 ahead of Lewis Ford (3-9 from eight) and Tom Parker (3-29 from seven) finding a testing line and length.

Whitchurch dropped a place to fourth following a seven-run reverse at Hanham for whom Rueben Shehan (87 not) and opener Ross Robbins (56) shone.

In Division Three, joint leaders Backwell Flax Bourton overcame Frampton Cotterell by 78 runs thanks to half centuries from Tim Martin, Harsha Vardhana and Sam Flowers who followed up with a fine spell of 4-33 from eight.

Junaid Iqbal top scored with 97 off 89 balls (11 fours and five sixes) as Pakistani Express chased down a target of 227 in less than 34 overs at home to Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nds.

And in Division Four, Amir Yaqoob (3-19) shone for PR Royals who trumped Frenchay 2nds by 51 runs.