MALMESBURY began their Gloucester and Wiltshire Division Two campaign with a five-wicket defeat at Gloucester City.

In a match played in damp conditions and reduced to 40 overs a side, the visitors posted a creditable 177-6.

Starting slowly, Malmesbury crept to 54 for four at the halfway stage. At this point Richard Gaunt, with support from Glynn Rhys-Jones and latterly Mark Lester, pressed the accelerator button.

Gaunt brought up his century including 13 fours and three sixes off the last ball of the innings.

In Gloucester's reply Jason Hooper raced to 58 off only 43 balls being particularly harsh on some inept bowling by all the bowlers, with the notable exception of youngster Mark Lester.

Dave Collinson took up the mantle and, with 19 required off three overs, settled the issue with two sixes off Gaunt's left arm spin.

Malmesbury entertain Marshfield on Saturday 10th May.

STUART McNeil and Richard Mosdell hit half centuries as Malmesbury exacted quick revenge over Gloucester in the National Knockout competition on Sunday.

Losing the toss, Malmesbury were invited to bat and set off at a brisk rate with Richard Gaunt and Mark Lester putting on 35 in the first five overs.

The fall of both openers brought Mosdell and McNeil to the crease and together they put on 126 for the third wicket. The innings then fell away to finish on 215 off the allotted overs.

The wickets were shared between Gaunt, Mark Lester, and Mosdell as the hosts fell 77 runs short of the target. sbury entertain Bath in the next round on Sunday.