BRAD Dial scored his third century of the season to inspire Lechlade to a slender six-run success at home to Keynsham.

South African ace Dial plundered an unbeaten 138 to take his haul for the first half of the campaign to 790 runs from nine games at an astonishing average of 158.

Lechlade won the toss at the Manor Ground and, with Paul Godding injured and Miles Hammond on Gloucestershire duty, tried a new opening partnership of Benny Ellis (34) and Ryan Higgins (65).

The move proved profitable as the pair raced to stand of 109 in only 15 overs.

The introduction of Tom Bryan and Cameron Herring into the Keynsham attack saw both openers depart and Dial made a tentative start, while skipper Joe Breet was trying to build a much-needed innings.

Nevertheless the partnership added 80 in reasonable time and had taken the score to 190 before Breet (26) was caught.

The innings lost momentum as Freddie Martin, Alastair Killham and Charles Offord made little contribution but by now Dial was at his imperious best.

Tristan Hawkes (20*) made sure that Dial had the majority of the strike and in the last six overs the pair added 81 runs to take the final score to 316-6.

In reply, Keynsham got away even faster than Lechlade had, with Luke Sellers, Hawkes and Martin all proving expensive.

Breet (2-32) finally made the breakthrough by removing both openers.

At drinks, Keynsham had reached 160-2, with Herring looking in control bit immediately, Sellers made an excellent diving stop at point to run out Herring.

Hawkes (4-60) returned and began to pick up wickets, as Keynsham finished on 310-9.