EARLY season pacesetters Minchinhampton won the toss and asked Slimbidge to bat on the warmest day of the season so far.

Slimbridge openers Jeff Chandra and Ashley Phillips started steadily before losing a couple of wickets to some accurate bowling.

However the loss of these early wickets brought in James Plumley, who carried on his good early season form, hitting a lusty 46 including a couple of huge sixes.

Slimbridge captain Adam Chalkley arrived at the crease and plundered the Minchinhampton attack for a well compiled 70 including some massive blows.

Aided by an important ten not out from Bill Church, Slimbridge closed on 180-7.

Minchinhampton’s most successful bowlers were D Woodrow (4-64) and J Waring (3-24).

Minchinhampton started their reply with a half-century opening partnership between W Cresswell (21) and T Horrell (39), before some good bowling by Ashley Phillips (4-31) and Sam Chandra (2-59) started chipping away at their batting order.

The result was in doubt as long as Waring, who made 38, was at the wicket, but assisted by two brilliant run outs from Sean Adams, Minchinhampton fell 12 runs short.