Gibson's to the rescue (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Gibson's to the rescue

DUMBLETON recorded a fourth Worc-ester Cricket Board Indoor League win of the year but they struggled when asked to score 81 to overcome the Boxmen.

An accurate attack helped Dumbleton restrict their opponents early on and only Lawrence found his form.

Wicket keeper Piesse pulled off two stumpings to further halt the Boxmen's chase for runs and, only when Law-rence opened up late on, were Dumbleton given anything like a challenging total to chase.

The chasers lost Reid early on but Gibson and Piesse again joined forces to make steady inroads into the target.

When Gibson retired the reply only stood at 30 and the middle order were unable to cope with a fired-up fielding side.

Wickets tumbled regularly and, when the returning Gibson was run-out with 13 still needed, the result was in the balance.

However, the experienced all-rounder knocked them off in singles to steer a relieved Dumbleton to victory.

Temple Grafton fancied their chances of a second success of the season when ope-ners Burrows and Morris took their reply to 60 halfway though the chase to pass Ashton's 106-3.

However, the introduction of Banks and Cooper put paid to their hopes with Haines helping with two stumpings.

When the fourth wicket fell in the penultimate over, the openers returned to score 11 for victory only to fall five runs adrift.

Cooper enjoyed a good all-round night after sharing a half-century stand with Haines after Ashton took first knock.

Again inexperience with the bat proved Ashton's undoing and a superb spell of line and length bowling from the Grafters removed a trio of batsmen without scoring.

The return of the openers after nine overs saw the total rise from 75-3 to 106-3 at the close and that proved just too many for the chasing side.

l INDOOR nets get under way for members of Chipping Campden CC next week.

Sessions will take place every Wednesday at Chipping Campden school from 7.30pm and all existing and any new members are invited along.