AUSTRALIAN recruit Nic Merrin agonisingly fell just one run short of a ton as the Aston Ingham 1sts opener helped them to 250 all out in 49 overs at home to Bourton Vale.

But the hosts suffered a three-wicket loss as the West of England Premier visitors reached the target with two overs to spare.

Merrin's 99 which featured two sixes and 13 fours came off 118 balls and included a 124-run second-wicket partnership with Anthony James who scored 69, including nine fours, while Gus Carini-Roberts also added 32.

But the tail fell away with only 24 runs added for the last seven wickets, and despite a good start from the Aston attack, Bourton fought back from 68-5 to reach 254-7 thanks to stands of 107 and 70.

James took 3-53-9, and Mikey Gooch, Angus Bartlett and Dan Smith one apiece alongside an Oliver Henson run out.

The 2nds also lost a Gloucestershire 7A nailbiter by three wickets away to Woodmancote 2nds, Frankie Gooding firing 54 and fellow opener Jimmy Davies 34 in their 189-7 off 40 overs.

But the hosts reached 193-7 with four balls to spare, Aston's wickets shared among six bowlers and a run out.

The 3rds were downed at the Pound by Dymock 2nds, all out for 123 in 34 overs chasing a 40-over target of 213-4, only Max Evans making any real impact with the bat with 34.

And to complete Aston's Saturday woe, the 4ths also fell by 103 runs at home to Gloucestershire 9A leaders Kingsholm 3rds after being set a target of 240-7, all out for 137 in the final over.

The Friendly XI had something to cheer about though, after a 65-run win at Corse & Staunton on Sunday.

Bryn Evans fired 50 retired not out backed by Johnny Known-Boyd with 35 and skipper Melissa Watson with an unbeaten 23 as the visitors posted 170-5 off their 30 overs.

And three wickets for Jacob Hayes and two apiece for Evans and Keown-Boyd then helped dismiss the hosts for 105 in 22 overs.

Newent 1sts also steamrollered Bourton Vale 2nds by nine wickets in a Gloucestershire 3 league match on Saturday, Jack Cowles firing a magnificent 129 not out after taking three wickets.

Will Trumper also took two wickets as Bourton posted 223-8, before Cowles’ fellow opener George Ayland scored a supportive 34 in an opening stand of 124.

Trumper then joined the party at the crease, adding 38 not out in a 100-run unbeaten second wicket stand, with Newent reaching 224-1 in 33 overs.

Newent Lions lost by three wickets at home to Andoversford 1sts though, restricted to 136-9 off their 40 overs before the visitors reached 137-6 in 25 overs.

Andrew Duggan scored 24, Ben Ward 23 not out and Charlie Edgell 21 for the hosts, while Ward and Ben Allard took wicket braces.

The 3rds also fell by eight wickets away to Apperley 3rds despite a 122-run opening stand between Tony Nightingale who scored 73 and Jimmer Cunliffe, who fired 47.

Jay Scott also shared an 84-run third-wicket stand with Nightingale scoring 53 as Newent reached 226-3 off their 40 overs.

But Apperley simply raced to 230-2 in just 22 overs, Prasanna Dommalapati and Cunliffe with the consolation wickets.