Weston continued their unbeaten start to the season, with a comfortable five wicket victory at Gloucester City Winget.

WESTON 1st XI continued their fantastic unbeaten start to the season, with what finished a comfortable five wicket win over Gloucester City Winget.

Weston lost the toss and were asked to field first. The opening bowlers got Weston off to a good start, with Sean Stringer removing Craig Collinson early on, and Tom Court keeping the runs to a minimum.

Andy Fear was brought into the attack, and soon removed Jack Cowles caught at slip by Sam Trego. This brought Scott Montgomery to the crease who, with Paul Carter, started to find runs more easily, with the help of some inconsistent bowling, poor fielding and a fast outfield.

As the boundaries became more frequent and both batsmen bringing up their 50s, captain Chris Davidson brought himself on to try and break the partnership, and a composed catch by Fear on the boundary saw Carter go for 59.

With the usually reliable spin duo of Ashley Allen and Trego not proving effective, the openers were brought back on to try and lower the run rate. The change worked and brought more wickets for Weston.

There were two more for Stringer, and one for Tom Court with a fine diving catch by keeper John Davidson. Gloucester City finished on 262-8 from their 50 overs, with Sean Stringer proving to be Weston’s most effective bowler, with 3-31 from his eight overs.

The Weston batsman knew this would have to be a hard fought chase and would need to be there highest score of the season to win, and Trego got them off to a flyer, hitting 16 runs from the first over, and not slowing down.

He eventually departed being caught on the boundary for 47 off only 28 balls. Two more wickets quickly fell, with Fear and Gary Morgan both being bowled by Cowles. This left Weston up against it at 80-3, but well up with the required run rate.

Chris Davidson joined Edd Brown at the crease, and they continued to torment the Gloucester team with regular boundaries. The pair re-built the Weston innings, bringing up the 200 for Weston with a fine 130-run partnership, and put Weston in a great position to win the match.

A late cameo from the Gloucester bowlers removed Davidson for an excellent 44, and his brother John for four. Matt Blamire steadied the ship before relieving the pressure with a couple of boundaries, but it was fitting that the IntouchCRM man of the match Brown hit the winning boundary with four overs to spare as he finished unbeaten on 96.

GLOUCESTER CITY WINGET

P Carter c Fear b C Davidson 59

C Collinson lbw Stringer 0

J Cowles c Trego b Fear 21

S Montgomery c J Davidson b Court 50

M Jennings c Trego b Allen 19

W Steadman run out 40

T Collinson c Morgan b Stringer 14

T Morris b Stringer 6

A Green not out 9

C Baldwin not out 5

Extras 30

Total (8 wkts) 262

Bowling: S Stringer 8-2-31-3; T Court 8-0-32-1; S Trego 10-1-40-0; A Fear 9-2-46-1; A Allen 10-0-66-1; C Davidson 5-0-37-1.

WESTON

S Trego c C Collinson b Jennings 47

A Fear b Cowles 9

G Morgan b Cowles 12

E Brown not out 96

C Davidson lbw Jennings 44

J Davidson c & b Green 4

M Blamire not out 11

Extras 41

Total (5 wkts) 264

On Saturday, Weston entertain second-placed Minehead at Devonshire Road (12.30pm) in a top of the table clash. The seconds look to return to winning ways at Taunton St Andrews (1.30pm), while the 3rds host Curry Rivel on the East Ground (2pm).

The 4ths set out on their longest journey of the season, away at Wellington 3rds. The Sunday League XI host Farmborough (2pm). As always, spectators are welcome at all games.