NEWENT 1sts produced a stunning run chase at Three Ashes as opener Jack Cowles struck an unbeaten 140 to guide them to a five-wicket win over Cheltenham 3rds.

The visitors posted an imposing 288-8 from their 40 overs in Saturday’s Gloucestershire Division Three clash.

Newent made an encouraging start with the ball as Ben Allard removed Cheltenham captain Andy Hawkins for six before Cowles dismissed Mohammed Bokhari for 10.

Liam Devries then accounted for Pravar Timmaraju for 22, leaving Cheltenham 58-3.

But Mohammed Rahman and Rob Cooper rebuilt the innings, the former hitting 69 from 58 balls, while the latter struck 65 from 60 deliveries, reaching 184 before Jack Griffiths removed Rahman.

Cooper then fell on 231 as Allard’s second victim before Kate Gaging added 34 and James Schofield finished unbeaten on 29.

Allard, Devries and Nathaniel Gourlay claimed two wickets each.

Richard Howell made 30 from 29 balls in tandem with Cowles in reply, striking seven fours before holing out (67-1).

But they wobbled as Josh Ralph fell for five, skipper Neil Roche for four and Gourlay for a duck (110-4).

Cowles remained at the crease though and then found the ideal partner in Ollie Corston, forming a superb 146-run fifth-wicket partnership to take Newent within touching distance of victory.

Corston contributed 51 from 70 balls, with five fours and a six, before he was caught and bowled (256-5).

But the visitors could not dislodge Cowles, whose unbeaten 140 came from 110 deliveries and featured 13 fours and seven sixes.

Liam Devries finished seven not out as Newent reached 292-5 with five balls to spare.

Newent Lions were all out for 86 away to Gloucester 3rds however, with the hosts then reaching 88-5 in 14.5 overs.

But the 3rds won by eight runs, dismissing hosts Ruardean Hill 3rds for 92 after scoring 200-4.

Simon Gayther fired 56, Jimmer Cunliffe 38 and Gary Smeaton 36, while Stuart Page took 3-33, Gayther 2-40 and Cunliffe 2-18.