RICHARD Howell fired a superb 119 to help Newent 1sts down basement hosts Rockhampton 2nds on Saturday.

The opener's 121-ball knock included 18 fours as he and Jack Cowles with 28 gave the visitors a solid start.

Mike Mason also lent support with 26 as Newent reached 217-5 in their 40 overs.

The hosts then saw out their allotment but were restricted to 183-5 by some tight bowling, Ben Allard taking three wickets for 23 runs off eight overs and Freddie Fabian 2-29-6.

And with one game left in Gloucestershire 3, at home to Great Rissington 1sts this Saturday, Newent are safe in seventh.

The Lions also roared to a 71-run win at home to Ashleworth Woodpeckers 1sts to secure a third-placed finish in Gloucestershire 9B.

Wayne Phillips just a missed a century firing an unbeaten 96 off 96 balls, including 18 fours, also sharing a 97-run second-wicket partnership with Adam Curtis who scored 42.

Skipper James Griffiths with 28 and Adam Brown with 27 provided good support as Newent reached 232-6 in their 40 overs.

A Woodpeckers opener was then dismissed for a duck by Rory Brown before the visitors recovered to reach 113-4.

But from that point, Newent's bowlers got on top, dismissing the visitors for 161 in the 38th over, Curtis taking 3-17, Charlie Lacy 2-35 and Brown 2-32.

But the 3rds suffered a 78-run home loss at the hands of Lydney 3rds in G9A.

Gary Smeaton took five wickets for 39 runs off eight overs, but couldn’t prevent the visitors reaching an imposing 263-8 off their 40 overs.

Newent then made great progress reaching 163-3, but the fall of Smeaton for 56 following 59 from Richard Leach heralded a collapse, as they were all out for 185 in 36.1 overs.

The Lions are away to Witcombe 2nds on Saturday, while the 3rds travel to Bream.