Stoke Gifford CC 1st XI 124/6 beat Frenchay CC 4th XI 121 by 4 wickets
Opting to field first after winning the toss at home, Stoke Gifford's 1st XI immediately put Frenchay on the back foot in their Eighth Division North clash. Opening bowler Harry Black set the tone early, clean bowling Chris Hallett for a single before catching Jack Evans off his own bowling for a duck. When jamie black got in on the act by having James Kerton caught by Harry Black for 5, Frenchay were reeling at 24/3.
Harry Hussey offered brisk resistance for the visitors, striking a lively 34 off 39 balls with six fours and a six, while Alex Taylor proved a stoic anchor lower down the order. However, the match swung decisively in Stoke Gifford's favour with the bowling of Rich Stadden. Stadden delivered a devastating spell, returning figures of 5/22 from his eight overs. He broke the dangerous partnership by having Hussey caught by Lewis Jefferies, before sweeping through the tail. Stadden went on to claim Samuel Davis, Imogen Stokes, Will Howsam, and Hannah Skidmore to wrap up the innings. Despite Taylor holding firm with an unbeaten 39, Frenchay were dismissed for 121 in 35 overs.
Chasing 122 for victory, Stoke Gifford's reply got off to a shaky start against an accurate opening spell from Frenchay's Hannah Skidmore. Brendan Walsh was caught off Skidmore without scoring to leave the hosts 0/1, and Joe Black was bowled shortly after for a duck. When Matt Semple fell caught off Samuel Davis for 16 and Sam Horner was trapped lbw by Skidmore (who finished with 3/19), Stoke Gifford found themselves wobbling at 38/4.
The crucial rebuilding job was spearheaded by Ryan Edwards, who batted with great authority. Edwards struck nine crisp boundaries in a top-scoring knock of 42 from 53 balls, steadying the ship alongside Henry Birt (12). The pair lifted the score to 80 before Edwards was run out by Hussey. When Birt was bowled by Aaron Cole four runs later, the contest hung in the balance at 84/6.
Any lingering nerves were swiftly put to rest by Lewis Jefferies and Jamie Franks. Jefferies brought urgency to the chase, hammering an unbeaten 27 from just 24 deliveries—including three fours and a six—while Franks provided calm support with 12 not out. Their unbroken seventh-wicket partnership safely steered Stoke Gifford over the line, securing a four-wicket victory in 32.1 overs.