A SKIPPER'S innings of 86 from Alexander Gooding helped Aston Ingham 1sts to a nail biting three-run home win over Hawkesbury Upton on Saturday, as the visitors just fell short of chasing down a revised target.
Gooding fired six fours and three sixes in his 111-ball knock, sharing a 125-run opening partnership with Oliver Henson who scored 59 off 77 balls, including nine fours.
Aston reached 213-8 off their reduced 43 overs before Hawkesbury fell just short of a revised 224 target with one wicket left, Oli Dennis and Anthony James taking three wickets each and Gooding two.
The 2nds won by a more comfortable 87 runs, Jimmy Davies and Tim Dulson both scoring 44s, backed by Dave Lacey with 31, in their 183-7.
And hosts Tewkesbury 3rds were then skittled for 96, Luke Ward taking 4-13 and Clyde Breetzke and Joseph Day wicket braces.
But Upton St Leonard 2nds squeezed home with nine balls and two wickets to spare at home to Aston 3rds, who scored 138-3 off 30 overs, Mark Mathias with an unbeaten 38 and Nathan Davies 37.
Mathias then took three wickets, and Oliver Kensall and Drew Stafford two apiece, but couldn't prevent the hosts reaching 139-8 to claim the lion's share of the points.
Johan Nieuwoudt scored 28 not out and Sam Waterhouse 25 as Aston 4ths toiled to 113-7 off 35 overs, but visitors Cinderford then raced to 115-1 in short order.
and Ross 1sts fell to a seven-wicket loss at Woolhope, all out for 120 in the 34th over before the hosts reached 121-3 in 22 overs.
The 2nds also lost by the same margin at nearby Goodrich, all out for 117 before the hosts reached 118-3 in 26 overs.
Charlie Bowden scored 36 for Ross, while Harry Mutlow with an unbeaten 54 and Colin Walker with 36 steered the hosts home.
It was a good day for Goodrich, as their 1sts cantered to a nine-wicket win at Garnons in a reduced 20-over game, skipper Sam Griffiths firing an unbeaten 77 and fellow opener Jack Lewis 58 as they chased down 160-7 with three overs to spare reaching 162-1.
Joe Provis and Jack Lewis each took two wickets.
It followed midweek victory over Ross 1sts in the Forest Hundred League, Lewis firing 55 and Matt Young 41 in their 166-2 before restricting the hosts to 136-8.
Ben Element scored 49 for Ross and Josh Element 36, while Ralph Heaven Richards took three wickets for the visitors and Ollie Kelsall two.