Asked to bat first on a dry pitch with unpredictable and “sporting” bounce, the Northleach batsmen started at 4 runs per over before Wellman fell early to a well-taken catch at mid-off. Richard Blundell joined his captain, Glen Crompton, at the crease and this pair showed great resilience as they built a partnership of 125 in 20 overs. Batting on this strip was not easy, with the ball either staying low or lifting alarmingly – indeed, both batsmen donned helmets, with Crompton being struck twice during a fiery spell by Richard Runciman. The former rose to the challenge, however, and played a great pull shot for 6 from the bowling of Kibble, immediately after watching a ball sail past his nose!

Blundell made 48, including a towering straight six, before being run out in the chase for a big total. Wayne Rose, at No. 4, made a quick start to his 23 not out, as he and Crompton continued to punish the bad ball and take quick singles from nearly every ball. In the heat of the afternoon Crompton finally fell, for a superb knock of 103, to a great delivery from Wayne Kibble (4 for 55). The Rams reached a total of 212 for 5 from their 40 overs, and this always looked a “big ask” for the home side.

The opening bowling of Phil Webb and Andy Wellman saw wickets fall early, until Kibble took Webb for several boundaries in one over. Crompton replaced the younger bowler, and used his experience to tie-down the home batters. Wellman, from the other end, bowled unchanged, in a fine display of pace bowling. His mix of pace, line and length proved to be too much for the Charlton side, and they withered in the face of his fiery brand of bowling – Wellman finishing with 6 for 18 from 8.2 overs.

The Northleach fielders held all 6 catches that came their way, to dismiss the home side for a lowly 50, winning by 162 runs.