Weston 2nd XI lost an exciting match at Cheltenham by just four runs.

WESTON 2nd XI came a close second in a thrilling match away at Cheltenham.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, they managed to limit Cheltenham to 281-4. Opening partnerships of 111 and 118, with J Cropper snr scoring 55, D Ward 109 and R Cropper 77 not out, seemed certain to set Cheltenham up for a score of over 300, but some good fielding and bowling (M Kearsey 9-1-59-3) at the death kept the score to an achievable target.

Weston lost J Lawrence for a duck in the first over. However, solid batting performances from J Press (53) and P Stringer (23) saw Weston up their run rate.

The partnership of 74 between Press and Stringer saw Kearsey come to the crease. Despite pulling a calf muscle and needing a runner from the 21st over, he put in a superb performance, finally being run out for 99 off 74 balls (eight fours and five sixes), having built partnerships of 40 with Press and 111 with M Huxtable (35).

This left Weston needing 29 off the last three overs with two new batsmen at the crease. Some loose bowling from Cheltenham (47 extras including 31 wides) meant it was close at the end and Weston were unlucky to lose by four runs.

The Forte Financial man of the match went to Matt Kearsey.