WITH Nick Trainor unavailable, Mark Hardinges took over as skipper and guided Frocester to a three- wicket victory that lifted Frocester to second in Premier One.

In fact, the quest for victory was the reason for Hardinges’ decision to invite Bridgewater to bat first.

James Shackleton captured an early wicket, but Haggett played some imperious strokes, finding the boundary with ominous regularity.

However, Louis Gegg took a brilliant catch, stood up to Richie Cave and then the Bridgewater innings became a strange affair, with batsmen getting in and then getting out.

When Ben Gannon captured the important wicket of Haggett for 40, the visitors began to struggle, particularly with Cavan Ditchmen (2-35) and Mike Lewis (1-40) bowling accurately.

Nevertheless, Bridgewater were well positioned at 190 for 5, but then collapsed to 218 all out, with Ashley Davis taking 3-4 and running through the tail.

Gegg and Adam Robson got Frocester off to a fine start with a 52 run opening partnership. Gegg fell for 26, but then Tom Wand joined Robson in a useful partnership that took the total to 76 when Robson was leg before for 41.

Hardinges then entered the fray and smashed 52 from only 44 deliveries, which included five sixes and three fours. This took the total to 145 for three and Frocester appeared to be cruising to victory.

Wand fell for 37, but Ashley Davis and Mike Lewis each scored 21 as the total reached 209-4. There were a few jitters as three wickets fell for two runs, but eventually Ditchmen and Cave saw Frocester home with five overs to spare.

FROCESTER 2nd X1 lost to their Bridgewater counterparts by 97 runs.

The home team scored 223 for 6 and Frocester were dismissed for 126 with George Bailey carrying his bat for 46 not out.

FROCESTER 3rd X1 defeated Oldlands by 22 runs.

Frocester reached a total of 170 for 9 with Richard Evans top scoring with 44.

Nigel Riglar then captured 2-9 from 12 overs as Oldlands were restricted to 148-9.