Success at Swilgate for seconds

10:32am Tuesday 13th May 2008

AFTER the disappointment of the poor display against King Stanley in the opening week of the season, the town's second XI returned to winning ways against Gloucester Civil Service last Saturday.

Pleasingly for the Swilgate team, it was young players who stole the show with some outstanding performances in the first competitive game at the ground since last year's floods.

Tewkesbury batted first and totalled 196-8 on a good track with Jack Brixey playing well for his 42.

Despite a decent start, anchored by Dave Allcoat, the innings looked to be in danger of petering out on 110-6. However, youngsters Japhet Humphries (42) and Matt Cox (28) had other ideas and smashed 52 for the seventh wicket with the former hitting two towering sixes and scored his runs off just 25 balls.

When it came to Civil Service's turn to bat, young seamer Andy Durant again bowled superbly for figures of 3-35. He was well supported by veteran Shabir Kashoo (3-21) and Humphries (2-20).

However, the star performer was wicket keeper Brixey who took four tremendous dismissals standing up to the seamers, two of which were quickfire stumpings.

The whole Tewkesbury side fielded enthusiastically, with the example being set by skipper Williams with a spectacular run out.

Civil Service were eventually dismissed for 128 ensuring a win for the Swilgate side by 68 runs.

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