NEWENT Cricket Club's first XI suffered a frustrating defeat on Saturday, 13 June after Cheltenham Thirds recovered from a perilous position to claim a three-wicket victory in Gloucestershire Cricket League Division Three.

Having won the toss and elected to bat at the Victoria Ground, Newent struggled to build momentum and were eventually dismissed for 102 in 35.4 overs after a difficult afternoon against a disciplined Cheltenham bowling attack.

Freddie Fabian top scored with 21, while skipper Neil Roche struck 17 and Paddy Thompson finished unbeaten on 16. Extras contributed a significant 28 runs to the total as wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings and prevented Newent from establishing any meaningful partnerships.

Cheltenham's Manas Atreya proved the difference with the ball, claiming 5-24 from eight overs as Newent slipped from 23-3 to 26-6 before a late recovery helped the visitors edge into three figures and give themselves something to defend.

Defending a modest target, Newent responded superbly and threatened to pull off an unlikely victory against opponents sitting comfortably at home.

Ben Allard produced an excellent spell of 4-14 from eight overs, removing four of Cheltenham's top six batters, while Liam Devries added 2-28 as the hosts collapsed to 48-7 and found themselves staring at defeat.

Cheltenham had earlier lost Mohammed Bokhari, Rob Cooper and Sohail Khan for just 15 runs before Christian Anstee and Kate Gaging also departed cheaply. When Devries removed both Pravar Timmaraju and captain Andy Hawkins, Newent appeared firmly in control and within touching distance of an impressive away win.

However, Stuart Houghton steadied the innings with an unbeaten 41 and shared a crucial partnership with Stefan Hunt, who finished eight not out. The pair showed patience and composure under pressure, guiding Cheltenham to 103-7 in the 35th over to complete the comeback and deny Newent a memorable victory.

Despite the result, Newent took encouragement from the performances of Allard and Devries, whose efforts had brought the visitors within touching distance of victory after defending a relatively low score.

Elsewhere, Newent Lions secured a dramatic one-wicket victory over Gloucester Thirds in Division Nine B at Three Ashes.

Gloucester were bowled out for 169 in 34.4 overs after Richard Graham top scored with 48 and Taj Ahmadzai added 26. Paul Carter led the Newent attack with an impressive 3-13 from eight overs, while Ollie Curtis claimed 2-50. Andrew Brookes, Charlie Lacy and George Bennion each picked up a wicket, while two run outs further dented Gloucester's innings and helped keep the total within reach.

In reply, James Griffiths laid the foundations with 42 before captain Jack Griffiths produced the key innings, top scoring with 52. Josh Ralph and Carter both added 14, while Bradley Smith also contributed 14 as Newent chased down their target.

Newent held their nerve to reach 170-7 with just two balls remaining and secure a hard-earned victory.

The club's third XI produced the most dominant result of the weekend, thrashing Ruardean Hill Thirds by 10 wickets in Division Nine A.

After electing to field, Newent bowled the visitors out for just 34 in 18.1 overs. Rory Brown starred with 6-11, while Simon Gayther took 2-13 and Matthew Cole and Patrick Thompson claimed a wicket apiece.

The chase was completed in just 6.1 overs as Gwyn Evans (10 not out) and captain Jimmer Cunliffe (14 not out) guided Newent to 35 without loss.