The Cricklade train rolled into St Phillips on Saturday, after a long but lovely trip through the Cotswolds, and enjoyed a comfortable win on a beautiful ground to stay in pole position at the top of Division 7. The win not without some dramas, however, entirely self-inflicted by a complete inability by Cricklade’s fielders to catch the ball.

Skipper Danny Lloyd once again lost the toss, and Cricklade were asked to field on a very warm summer’s day. Opening bowlers Cox and Robbins have been very reliable all season in taking early wickets and did not disappoint, with each taking a wicket in their opening spells. Despite some tight bowling by James Barton (28 from 9 overs) and a smartly taken slip catch from Rhys Mills off Andy Lea’s bowling, the home side were allowed to build a threatening partnership largely thanks to multiple dropped catches from almost every fielder (Chris Walker and Keeper Paul Dewsbury being honourable exceptions). It was left, once again, to the vicious spin of Angelo Rigali (3-44) and surprise bowler, Brains Trust Chairman Jack Danford (2-25) to keep the home score down to a manageable 189-9 off 45 overs.

Despite one or two devils in the wicket, but with the benefit of a very fast outfield, the Cricklade opening pair of Danny Lloyd (40) and Paul Dewsbury (94 with 19 boundaries) put on an excellent stand of 100 for the first wicket to break the back of the run chase. After the loss of some unnecessary wickets, including Chris Walker to the second worst shot of all time, it was left to VC Rhys Mills (39 not out) to see the team home with some lusty (if mostly mis-timed) hitting, including a six to win the match.

The 1st XI increase their lead at the top of the Division to 10 points over Hatherley and Reddings but some work is required to correct the fielding errors if the excellent run is to be maintained.

The BigVan World man of the match was Paul Dewsbury for his bold innings of 94.