NORTH Bradley stepped up their Division Seven title challenge with a comprehensive 175 run away win over Goatacre 3rds.

The Bradley batsmen were in fine form, with openers Sean Brown and Oli Howe laying the foundations for a big score with a first wicket partnership of 67.

Howe and debutant Jack Heard moved the total towards the 175 mark before Howe succumbed to a fine run out by Goatacre wicketkeeper Alsop for 78 and when Heard was bowled by young spinner Heer, Bradley were on 178 for 6 off of 38 overs.

Andrew Colebrooke was joined at the crease by Liam Brown and the pair put on 117 in just seven overs, including eight sixes and 10 fours. Colebrooke finished unbeaten with a magnificent 74 off 38 balls and Brown unbeaten three short of his 50 off just 19 deliveries as Bradley closed on 295 for six.

In reply Goatacre found it tougher going, but fought hard. James Starr opened the bowling and took three wickets in his opening spell and when Sean Brown clean bowled the dangerous looking Munroe for 16 Bradley took control.

Brown finished with figures of three for 17 off nine overs and Colebrooke topped a man-of-the-match performance with figures of three for 29 off his eight overs. Corsham 4ths completed their first double of the season with a comfortable seven wicket win over Wootton Bassett 3rds to keep the pressure on the top two.

Bassett were restricted to a modest 181 all out, with Steve Dymock top scoring with 52 and Luke White taking the bowling honours with figures of five for 45 from 12 overs. The Corsham reply was built around an unbeaten 69 not out, including 14 fours, from veteran opener John Gale.

Steve Copland survived a chance to slip off his first ball to make 37 and Chris Bush Bush was undefeated on 44, including nine fours.

Division One

LECHLADE recorded a comfortable nine wicket home win after bowling out Box for 103.

The top four Box batsmen were all back in the pavilion with the score on 21 after a devastating spell of swing from Paul Godding of three for nine in eight overs.

Dave Crawford was top score for Box with 32, but Mike Denness (3 for 33) and Anthony Pettifer (3 for 28) continued to take wickets.

Box made an early breakthrough in Lechlade's reply, but Damon Livermore (48 not out) and Godding (39 not out) took the home side to victory without too many scares.

Division Two

COOPER-Avon Tyres coasted to a 97 run home win over Buscot Park. Batting first, Cooper-Avon made 278 for seven, with the main contributions coming from John Wiltshire (62 not out), Rich Jory (56) and Dean Wallington (45).

Buscot Park were bowled out for 181 in reply, with Wallington completing a fine all-round game by finishing with bowling figures of three for 38 from his 12 overs.

Division Three

CORSHAM 3rd XI's winning streak came to an end when they were beaten by five wickets by Swindon Litten Tree. The earlier meeting between the sides had produced the highest aggregate score of the season, 565 runs for the loss of only five wickets; the return match produced the lowest, only 209 runs for the loss of 15 wickets.

Corsham were put into bat and were bowled out for 104, Chris Bultitude leading the way with 54, his second third team 50 in two matches. The performance of the Corsham side in the second innings gave reason for greater optimism, with Gary Ings and Joe Shillaker bowling well, but Litten Tree ground out a victory. Simon Acornley had figures of 9-2-10-1.

Division Four

BEANACRE overcame a nervous last few overs to claim a one wicket win over Bathford.

Batting first, Bathford were soon in trouble from the pace bowling of youngster Jack Adcock, losing a couple of quick wickets, but Merrett and Murry steadied the Bathford ship, putting on 103 for the third wicket.

Beanacre battled back and once these two were out the rest of the Bathford batsmen struggled. Adcock finished with figures of three three for 37 and Andy Footner three for 39. They were backed up once again by some excellent fielding, with Tim Tandy taking four well judged catches.

Beanacre's batsmen made a quick start but lost wickets at regular intervals. The game appeared to swing Beanacre's way with two 50 partnerships in the middle of the innings, but once Tandy had gone for 45 and Owen Lewis for 58 there were a few nervy moments as the last four batsmen all struggled but Beanacre eventually ran out winners by one wicket.

Division Five

BRADFORD 2nds recovered from 75 for six to post a competitive 176 for nine in their home match against Nettleton. After being put into bat, some good early bowling from Nettleton had Bradford in trouble and after 28 overs they were 75 for 6.

An excellent seventh wicket partnership of 63 between the solid James Edwards and explosive Mark Mullis restored some respectability and some late order hitting and sharp running between the wickets allowed Bradford to reach 176 for nine from 45 overs.

Edwards was the main run getter with 69, backed up by Mullis' 23. Fry was pick of the Nettleton attack with figures of four for 53 from 10 overs. Nettleton's reply got off to a bad start and they were reduced to 13 for three after six overs, with two wickets from Nick Gerrish and one for captain Adrian Cooksey.

A solid fourth wicket partnership of 97 between Hugh Tucker and Bleaken put Nettleton back on track but the introduction of spinner Mullis brought instant dividends with the wicket of Bleaken for 26. Mullis ended with figures of three for 35 from seven overs to complete a good all round performance.

Tucker remained unfazed, until he was dismissed for an excellent 73 by a superb one handed caught and bowled by Cooksey.

Cooksey finished with figures of three for 35 and Gerrish three for 26, as Bradford scrambled home by three runs as Nettleton finished on 173 for nine from 45 overs.

Division Eight

SPYE Park 2nds won the toss and elected to bat against Blunsdon 2nds making a total of 303-5 from their 45 overs. Tom Young made 96, Chris Beaven 80 and Dave Russell 32 from 15 balls before retiring hurt.

In reply Blunsdon were all out for 89, Dan Butler making 29 and Kev Clarke returning figures of 12-7-8-4.