LECHLADE’S promotion dream came to a disappointing end as they lost out to Potterne by 62 runs in the two teams’ title showdown on Saturday.

As a result Potterne clinched the Glos/Wilts title by seven points and although they missed out on their ultimate goal Lechlade were able to secure their highest finish in their 127 year history.

Lechlade skipper Paul Godding admitted the better team won on the day but insisted he was proud of everything his players have achieved in 2013.

“The boys are all very down but we were beaten by the better team on the day,” he said.

“I don’t think we can have any complaints as they have beaten us twice in the league this year and are worthy champions.

“I’m very proud of the boys’ efforts today and this season, and to finish second by just seven points having played a game less is no mean achievement.”

Potterne won the toss and elected to bat first in helpful conditions and they made a steady start to put on 46 before Godding trapped Tom Cullen lbw for 22.

Asanka Vithanage had Luke De Sousa caught behind by Sam Burdock in the 17th over before the hosts added 47 to move on to 111-2 at the midway point of their innings.

Sahan Wijerathane and Neil Clark moved the total on to 155 when Clark skied a catch to Burdock off Will Nichols, but Lechlade couldn’t make another breakthrough until the 45th over when Luke Sellers bowled Wijerathane shortly after the batsman had completed his century.

With only four wickets down, Potterne were able to up their rate in the final five overs and managed a further 64 runs to their total to close on 294.

The Lechlade reply got off to a stunning start with 18 coming from the first over before Joe Breet was dismissed two overs later, but Nichols and Arnie Yugaraja slowly calmed nerves and took the score to 60 before disaster struck the riverside club.

In the space of 26 balls Lechlade lost the wickets of Yugaraja, Nichols and Godding for the addition of just six runs and found themselves floundering at 66-4, and although Arran Dickinson and Vithanage added 94 another Lechlade collapse was around the corner after Dickinson went lbw. Vithanage followed soon after before the visitors were skittled out for 232 as Ross Jeffels sat not out on 38.

Lechlade’s 2nd XI fared no better in their championship decider with Marlborough as they lost by six wickets to miss out on the title by just two points. Lechlade set a target of 236 which Marlborough chased down with the loss of just four wickets with two overs to spare.

  • LECHLADE bounced back from missing out on the Glos/Wilts title to earn a comfortable 88-run victory over Bedminster in the final of the Gloucestershire County Cup.

The riverside club fell short in their bid to win the league title after losing to Potterne in what was effectively a last-day decider on Saturday, but picked themselves up to smash a mammoth total of 321 which ensured they were always in control.

Lechlade eventually bowled Bedminster out of 233, with coach Luke Sellers taking five wickets, which left cup captain Arran Dickinson proud of his players following their first ever county cup victory.

“It’s great that we’ve finished the season on a high and I’m so proud that the lads picked themselves up so well from Saturday’s huge disappointment to win so comfortably,” he said.

“Joe (Breet) and Arnie (Yugaraja) set us up well after a wobbly start and the bowling unit finished off the job with Luke (Sellers) fully deserving his five wickets.”

Lechlade’s day started badly when Sri Lankan off spinner Asanka Vithanage failed to shake off a hamstring injury sustained the previous day, but it soon got better when Bedminster won the toss and surprisingly asked them to bat first.

The Lechlade innings didn’t start well as Paul Godding was dismissed with the second ball of the game without scoring, and Lechlade seemed to be in trouble when Sam Burdock was trapped lbw for 12 in the sixth over with the score on 39.

Wiltshire skipper Joe Breet joined Arnie Yugaraja at the wicket and the pair slowly rebuilt the innings as they added 107 to the total by the drinks break.

Soon after Yugaraja went for 80 having hit 10 fours and two sixes, and when Dickinson joined Breet at the crease the score quickly moved on to 238. Breet eventually fell for 93 and despite Ali Killham and Ross Jeffells also quickly departing, Lechlade were able to continue to score quickly to finish on 321.

Bedminster never managed to keep up with the required rate and although Lechlade initially found it hard to make a breakthrough they eventually swept through their opponents to take the trophy thanks largely to Sellers’ five wickets.