CAPTAIN Pete Lavis produced a fine effort with bat and then ball to ensure a 46-run win at Eldersfield for Stone that keeps alive their hopes of avoiding the drop from Division Seven of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
The all-rounder top scored with 67 in his side’s challenge of 174-7 and followed up with a return of 6-11 from 6.1 to edge his side up a place to seventh with a home date on Saturday to come against high-flying Langford 2nds.
The second-placed Oxfordshire side recorded one of the biggest wins of the season, racking up a total of 262-7 declared at home to Poulton 2nds, Elliot Greenwood, Tom Stevens and Jake Romanek all cracking half centuries, ahead of the visitors being rushed out for 30 by Jack Brown (5-9).
Langford’s first XI remain pole position in Division One after dispatching their Poulton counterparts by 112 runs.
But Aston Ingham, second at the start of the day, lost by seven wickets at Lydney and that enabled Rockhampton to grab the runners-up slot courtesy of a nine-wicket pounding of Kingsholm.
Langford (252) conclude their campaign on Saturday at home to bottom side Apperley while Rockhampton (240) entertain Lydney and Aston Ingham (225) welcome Hawkesbury Upton.
Hawkesbury’s Davis Newcombe, meanwhile, finished with 5-10 to pave the way for a ten-wicket home success against Chipping Campden.
And Kade Clowes’ figures of 5-23 ensured a 127-run triumph for Westbury-on-Severn at Apperley.
Thornbury 2nds roared to the top of Division Two with a 140-run home humbling of previous leaders Great Rissington who were rushed out for only 50 by Harry Blackwell (6-16).
Thornbury (259) conclude their season on Saturday away to third-placed Redmarley (241) while Rissington (250) welcome Cheltenham 2nds.
Division Three leaders Tewkesbury 2nds’ clash at Ullenwood Bharat was abandoned because of rain that once again plagued many fixtures.
But second-placed Tetbury closed the gap to 14 points after racing to an eight-wicket home victory against Bourton Vale 2nds, James Meacham (4-13) the pick of the attack.
Division Four champions Dumbleton 2nds stretched their unbeaten record with a seven wicket home defeat of Woodmancote, Robbie Hardwick top scoring on 79.
And in Division Six, Jim Stuart’s spell of 4-31 helped pave the way for leaders Down Hatherley to edge Arcadians Nine Elms by three wickets.