After a couple of defeats the Rams returned to winning ways with a 19-point victory over local rivals Williamstrip.

The home side elected to bat first on a slightly green wicket, which was always going to aid the seam bowlers, and Wellman particularly enjoyed the early exchanges. Bowling very quickly down the slope he was soon in the wickets, removing both openers in a withering first spell of 6 overs. Captain Glen Crompton was very effective at the other end, with a tight line and lots of movement off the wicket.

Young Ed DeMorriville was the mainstay of the home batting effort, as he played his way to a fine 41 before being superbly bowled by Dickie Hemming. Good support was provided by Blant and Powell, before the tail collapsed against a great spell of seam bowling by Hemming (3 for 17) and the final onslaught from Wellman, who finished with 4 for 30 - the Williamstrip total reaching 134 all out.

The Northleach reply got underway with some fine shots from the early order, but all were removed at regular intervals before any of them could make a large score - Martin Blant was especially tight from the Castle end. The revised batting order saw Crompton coming at No. 5, and he began to play his shots from the off. It was the arrival of Hemming at the crease that confirmed the fate of the match, as he initially allowed Crompton to dominate the strike before picking up the gauntlet after the former was removed by Reeves for a strong 29.

Gareth Charlton marked his return to the side with his usual brand of calypso cricket, and his boundaries ensured the run rate never rose above 5/over. Hemming struck two fours to clinch the win, after a well-paced run chase, moving to an unbeaten 28.

The “Roy of the Rovers” award was presented to Dickie Hemming, for his superb bowling display and decisive batting.