A SUPERB 118 not out from Anthony James helped Aston Ingham 1st XI to a close-run four-wicket win over basement hosts Thornbury in Gloucestershire League 1 on Saturday.

He also took three wickets as the Severnside outfit set a target of 249-8 off their 45 overs, before his century led the visitors to victory, Aston reaching 251-6 with seven balls to spare.

Jack Carpenter took two Thornbury wickets, with Oli Dennis, Noah O’Neill and David Skyrme sharing one apiece.

In reply, Aston opener Gus Carini-Roberts also made 30 in an 81-run second wicket partnership with James, while Jack Carpenter added 30 not out with him in an unbeaten 78-run stand to see them over the winning line.

James’ magnificent knock off 106 balls included 13 fours and four sixes, with the result leaving the village side sixth.

Dave Lacey cracked 70 and Clyde Breetzke 41 as the 2nds set Cheltenham/Gloucester/Forest Premier Division visitors Forest Exiles a target of 193 off their 40 overs.

It was a close run thing again, but this time third-placed Aston missed out as Exiles reached 194-5 with nine balls to spare, Breetzke taking three wickets and George Aubrey and Luke Ward one apiece.

The 3rds also fell to a narrow 17-run loss away to second-placed Bream 1sts in Division 1 West.

Andrew Gardner snared three wickets and Mark Landon two as the hosts set a target of 192-8 off their 40 overs.

Opener Mark Landon hit 72 for Aston in reply, backed by Andrew Leighton with 21 and Johan Nieuwoudt with 20, but after reaching 120-3, the run chase slowed and the visitors finished on 175-9.

The newly-formed 4ths secured their first ever win in yet another close encounter though, pipping Division 2 West visitors St Briavels by two wickets.

Aston dismissed the Foresters for 111 in 25 overs, Ethan Drew-White taking four wickets and Colin Leighton two.

And they squeezed home to 113-8 in 29.1 overs, Sam Waterhouse top-scoring with 22.

In Sunday’s friendly at home to Corse Lawn, David Skyrme hit 64 backed by Jimmy Davies with 27 and Toby O’Neill with 24 as Aston chased down the visitors’ target of 180-5 off 40 overs, reaching 182-5 in 31.5 overs.

Drew-White proved a bowling stand-out again taking three wickets, with Charlie O’Neill and Kai Haines sharing the other two.

Newent 1st XI saw their target of 197-8 off 40 overs passed with an over to spare by derby hosts Redmarley in Gloucestershire Division 2.

Skipper Jack Cowles hit 50, Paul Carter 44 and Richard Howell 33 for the visitors, but none of the next six batsmen could reach double figures.

And in reply, opener Sam Aston with 77 backed by Joe Lawrence with 29 and Ben Gwilliam with 28 helped Redmarley to 198-8, Thomas Morley taking three wickets and Cowles two.

Callum Howells with 75 helped Newent Lions to a five-wicket home win over Corse & Staunton 3rds in C/G/F Division 1 West, reaching 143-5 in 29 overs.

Simon Gayther and Ollie Corston had earlier taken three wickets for the Lions, and Alfie Griffin two, as Corse were dismissed for 141 in 32.5 overs.

But the 3rds were on the end of a 165-run home loss to Woodpeckers 2nds in Division 2 West.

Leo Kelly took four Woodpecker wickets and Joseph Campbell and Jimmer Cunliffe two apiece, as the visitors were all out last ball for 294.

Newent never threatened the target despite seeing out their 40 overs, finishing on 129-7 with Shane Malone top-scoring with an unbeaten 34, backed by Cunliffe with 25.

Dymock 1st XI lost a Division 4 nail-biter by one wicket with only two balls left at home to Cheltenham Civil Service.

York Senior scored 55 and Matthew Barratt 50 as part of a 100-plus opening stand for the hosts, backed by James Field with 39 and skipper Andrew Bevan with 23, as they set a target of 226-6 off their 40 overs.

Their bowlers had the visitors teetering on the brink at the end after the dismissals of James Clarkson for 78 and seventh man Steve Bridge for 63, but CCS squeezed over the line in the last over with 229-9.

Isaac Lawrence took three wickets and Thomas Streeter and Bevan two apiece.

The 2nds needed just 12 overs to chase down Highnam Court 2nds’ lowly 65 all out, Mike Cale top-scoring with 23 as they reached 67-2 in a rush.

Andrew Kingaby starred with the ball for Dymock, taking four wickets, while there were braces for David Williams and Mike Cale.

Sunday’s home friendly saw another win for Dymock after being set 218-5 off 35 overs by Bristol outfit Luddites.

Dave Smith cracked 80 and Dave Williams finished on 35 not out as the hosts needed just 27 overs to reach 219-5.