IN the Cotsworld Cricket League, the top two sides from 2009 met at Pinkney Park, as champions Sherston Magna completed a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Oakridge.

Put into bat Oakridge struggled for runs, with only the Robbins brothers, Steve and Mark, with 48 and 29, breaking the shackles put on the visitors by Dickenson (3-27) and Moore (3-35).

Chasing 121, Sherston lost early wickets to miserly openers Minchin and Heath, before Cartwright (38) and Harmer (20 not out) steadied the ship.

Mark Robbins’ stumping ended Cartwright’s innings, giving Oakridge hope, before Mike Deane (4-23) removed the middle order, turning Sherston’s wobble into a collapse.

However, a captain’s innings from Tremellen (11 not out) saw the hosts home off the penultimate ball.

Great Rissington got their 2010 campaign off to the best possible start with a resounding 167 run victory at Cricklade.

Rissy’s 250 was built around Simon Scarrott’s 127, ably supported by John Surch (34) and M. Scarrot (34 not out). Cricklade were immediately under pressure as Brian Brain (5-10) knocked over three of the top four and returned to mop up the tail.

Chandu Patel must be wondering what he has to do to be on the winning side after his five-wicket haul and unbeaten 94 failed to give NATS a win at Chedworth.

Chedworth laid firm foundations through Darryl Drinkwater (91) and Kim Watson (65) before Patel (5-50) and Bartlett (3-50) took a flurry of wickets.

NATS fell behind the rate as they attempted to overhaul their hosts target of 197 before Patel’s late onslaught set up a tight finish. His 94 came off just 73 balls with 10 fours and four sixes but a lack of support left him stranded six short of a century.

Division Two champions Williamstrip notched up their first win in Division One with a comfortable six-wicket win over a youthful South Cerney side.

Adlestrop completed another brutal victory with newly promoted Andoversford the victims. Sam Keen (3-14) was the pick of the bowlers as the visitors struggled to 84 all out off 38.2 overs. Adlestrop had no such problems, cantering to a nine-wicket victory.