Tanworth tanned by master blaster Paul (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Tanworth tanned by master blaster Paul

PAUL Jones was at it again as the Tanworth bowlers took a Saturday spanking from Bretforton's master blaster in the John Shepherd Cotswold Hills League.

Jones hammered 115 not out off just 66 balls faced - an innings that included eight 4s and nine 6s - as the visitors declared in the final over on 259-6.

The champions had been asked to bat and Scott Marshall helped give his new side the perfect platform with 70 off 77 balls.

Stuart Berry's 34 off 35 helped keep up the pace but it was Jones who, after a sticky start, raced to his second century of the season taking his average for his last four visits to the crease to an amazing 359!

Missing three front line bowlers, Tanworth made a solid start with 22 off four overs. But, once wickets started to fall, their mission was not to be all out and they reached 152-6 with Alex Evans moving on to 199 wickets for the Station Road club.

Ashton's Jason Haines was another century-maker but he finished up on the losing side in the first division clash at Elmley Road.

Reached Haines hit 107 and fellow opener Richard Cooper 50 in the home side's 222-5 against Norton Lindsey who reached their target with six wickets and 16 balls to spare mainly thanks to 54 from Paul Ashley and 94 from Iain Morgan.

There was better news for Ashton at The Lenches where the second team moved up to second in Division Five after a six-wicket success.

The hosts totalled 193 after 45 overs and then took three quick wickets but hadn't bargained for an unbeaten 65 from David Hudson-Wood, 41 from Mahesh Patel and 21 not out from Paul Merchant whose efforts helped the visitors to victory in the penultimate over.

There was a thrilling game at Snowshill Road where first division leaders Moreton-in-Marsh were in great shape thanks to the efforts of openers David Henshaw (80) and Darren Hardiman.

However, only Marco Bandeira was the only other batter to get into double figures as Jamie Powell (4-29) helped restrict the visitors to 172- 8.

Gary Evans then hit a half-century as Broadway made a flying start but Tom Newbold threatened another collapse until Powell's entrance tilted the match the home side's way as his unbeaten 39 steered the home side to victory.

Owen Donovan (69) and John Edwards (44) helped Fladbury to success in the third division after the visiting side had slumped to 96-6.

The pair added 106 to lift the total to 226-9 that proved 28 too many for the hosts who closed on 199-4 with Rooney adding 93 runs to his earlier five wickets.

It was a mixed afternoon for Shipston whose senior side lost by five wickets at Exhall and Wixford but the second string sits proudly on top of Division Two.

FISSC totalled 156-8 at London Road and appeared set for victory as Dave Stokes produced a fine spell of 6-18 from nine overs.

Phil Hall's 43 was a crucial knock and Craig Robbins blasted the winning boundary in a two-wicket in the penultimate over.

Bidford's second team remain undefeated in Division Six after another thrilling finish on the Big Meadow.

Mick Nason and Ben Cooper both took three wickets as the section leaders were dismissed for 130 with the latter claiming an amazing hat-trick with his opening three deliveries.

Bidford were then reduced to 28-3 but Cooper's 25 and 16 not out from Simon Smith helped steer the hosts home with their final pair at the wicket.