A second successive dazzling display with the ball by Darren Hall (4 for 18 from 10 overs) saw Northleach to a 57-run victory away at Lower Slaughter on Saturday afternoon. It was a toss-up whether his bowling efforts were overshadowed by the batting power of Glen Crompton (81) or the fast jets approaching the Fairford Air Tatoo, but ultimately he won the game for the Rams and was very unlucky not to achieve his first 5-wicket haul for the club.

After being asked to bat first on a very green wicket the Northleach score progressed solidly, with several batsmen getting in and then getting out, until Crompton came to the crease and blazed a fine 81 from the final 12 overs of the innings. The total of 193 for 7 always looked too much for the young Slaughters team, although wayward bowling from Wellman (2 for 29) gave them hope, and Luke Tatlow scored a hearty 41 to keep their hopes alive. It was the pace and accuracy of Hall which proved the deciding factor, and he tore the batting apart during his outstanding spell, with only Nick Hayward (31no) proving difficult to remove at the end. Fine catches by Richard Hall and a great diving effort by Dickie Hemming at second slip ensured that no batsman was secure, and the Rams wrapped up the game with 2 overs to spare.