Rash shots and spills in field lead to home loss (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Rash shots and spills in field lead to home loss

DROPPED catches and indifferent shot selection cost Tewkesbury dear when they lost by three wickets to Cirencester at The Swilgate last Saturday.

After electing to bat first, the hosts slumped to 23-3 but skipper John Allcoat and Larry Simmonds led the recovery with a half-century partnership.

After Simmonds departed for 30 it was left to the captain to hold the tail together but the regular loss of wickets prevented any real momentum being gained and a final total of 161-9 was always going to be difficult to defend.

Allcoat was left undefeated with 56 to his name and, when he introduced spinners Tarun Nethula and Steve Bowers, the game threatened to turn Tewkesbury's way.

The pair picked up six wickets in their 12 overs but the chasers were always up with the required rate and wickets in hand also proved useful as they completed a three-wicket win in the final over.

The second string continued their winning start to the season with a 22-run success over a far more experienced home side.

Scanlon top scored with 75 as Tewkesbury rattled up 195 on a tricky surface that also saw Dave Allcoat, Mark Hodson and promising youngster Jack Brixey make useful runs.

Young seam bowlers McIvor and Maber and veteran Hodson performed well with the ball to stifle Cirencester's chase but it was Dan Sutcliffe who terrorised the opposition most as his fiery and accurate stint brought figures of 4-28 off ten overs as the chase ended 20 runs short.

The next afternoon, McIvor and Brixey were part of a youthful Tewkesbury side that skittled Redmarley for a meagre 66.

McIvor grabbed 4-9 and Brixey 3-12 as the home side raced to victory in only 11 overs with James Allcoat scoring 40.

The second team are at home to Newent on Saturday when the match ball is being sponsored by Tewkesbury Trophies.