Minchinhampton visited Charlton Kings in what was a crucial clash as both teams fought to stave off relegation.

On a very hot afternoon returning skipper Jaime Waring was asked to field unsurprisingly and opposition skipper Mitchell set about where he left on in last years fixture by hitting the bad ball to the fence with ease. But opener Pete Wallis worked hard and firstly removed youngster Yearp played on and then next ball a beauty of a Yorker to remove Lewis for a duck. 2^nd XI stalwart Jack Cartledge opened from the other end and initially found a good line and length before Mitchell and Hughes started to get after him. When Hughes went after a drive off Wallis, Waring caught well at extra cover. Veteran John Turton came into the attack and took a wicket 1^st over removing Mill, well caught by keeper Garschagen. At 38 for 4 Minch sensed hope for a low score. But Mitchell and Peacey built a large 5^th wicket partnership to get Charlton Kings back in the game. Ittyavirah and Cole were unable to prize a wicket from the top end and a couple of dropped catches didn’t help the Minch cause. Jaime Waring entered the attack and finally removed Mitchell for a very well played 92 and swiftly followed by his batting partner Peacey for a similarly well played 40. Cartledge returned to get a well earned wicket, but a bit of sloppiness in the field allowed Kings to add a useful 30 in the last few overs and reach a respectable 210 for 8. Wallis 3 for 22 and Waring 3 for 46 the pick of the bowlers. With a small boundary one side, Minch knew this was a reachable target if they batted well.

In reply Minch had a new look opening partnership of Pat Garschagen and Tom Richings stepping up from the 2s after some strong performances. The 2 set about the total at a very quick rate, putting anything slightly loose to the fence with ease. When Richings fell for 16 the score was 70 in just the 12^th over. Ross Britton rotated the strike well as Garschagen started to let loose and raced to his 50. The young Kings bowling attack struggled in the heat and Pat kept finding the fence and he soon brought up his 100, his 2^nd for the club. The introduction of Mohan slowed things down a little and Garschagen fell for exactly 100, a fine display of hitting and the 2^nd batsmen to score exactly 100 vs Charlton Kings this season. If Kings thought things would now ease up, they soon realised otherwise as Jon Ablett came and in a stroked the ball to the fence largely through the covers and there was no respite for the opposition. Britton simply supported at the other end as Ablett got to 35 mostly in 4s before being adjudged LBW. Britton 21* and Jaime Waring 4* saw Minch home with 9 overs to spare and now back to back victories for Minch.

With four 2^nd XI regulars stepping up this was a very pleasing win for the Minch boys and gives them plenty of confidence going into the last 3 fixtures.