Minchinhampton 1stXI returned to winning ways with an excellent 78 run win over Charlton Kings 2nds at Stuart Fields on Saturday.

Losing the toss captain Jaime Waring was asked to bat, when actually he would have liked a bowl 1^st. But nonetheless a new look opening duo of John Turton and Phil Stephens set about building a total. Turton however fell early, playing onto his stumps via his foot with the score on 10. Ross Britton came in and played sensibly as Stephens started to fine some timing, hitting the boundaries regularly. The 2 added a very patient and well played 70 runs for the 2^nd wicket leaving Minch well poised at 80 for 1 off 22 overs. Britton then fell for a well played 27 after a sharp bouncer from young Roberts. Pete Raphael playing his 1^st game of the season showed his power, hammering the ball through the covers regularly as he and Stephens built a huge partnership. Stephens reached 50 and then into the 80s quickly, but Raphael threatened to catch him up with 10 fours and a 6. He fell for 62 and the score on 214 for 3 after 39 overs. Stephens pushed on, reaching his maiden Minch ton, before falling for exactly 100 with 18 fours and 2 sixes – a superb knock from the opener. Big hitting Ollie Cooper hit 3 quick boundaries for his 13, as did Simon Penn also with 13 to boost Minchs score to 259 for 5 and their highest total of the season.

In reply Minch had a great start as a mix up off the bowling of Ittyavirah, saw a run out combined by Ross Britton, Jaime Waring and Dave Cruickshank with opener Henley out for 0. Charlton Kings had to go for some big shots to keep up with a run rate just short of 6 an over. Roberts added 18, Page 11 and Yearp 22 but no one could build an innings as openers Ittyavirah (2 for 32) and Wallis (1 for 36) were accurate as ever. Skipper Waring came on and took 2 for 17 from his 7 overs to apply more pressure and at 60 for 6 Minch sensed a quick win. But to the great credit of 3 young Charlton Kings batsmen they batted well and built a decent innings total to frustrate Minch. Parsley 22, Atwood 47 and Hayward 30 all batted well and boosted the score to 181 for 9, never really in with a shout following the early wickets but a very respectable score given the start. The spin of Turton (1 for 27) and Cooper (1 for 34) bowled well, Minch just unable to take the last wicket, but a 78 run win nonetheless and much need points for the 1^st XI.