On a sun-baked wicket at The Gillman’s Oval, Ruardean Hill put themselves into bat having won the toss, the conditions perfect for a big score against hosts Huntley..
Openers Ton Williamson and Dean White appeared to get off to a good start before White was caught by Tom Mann, from the bowling of Warren Greaves in the ninth over with the score on 33, writes Duncan Foot.
Consecutive maidens from Matt Abbott and Warren Greaves, and additional economical bowling from Steve Wood and Colin Reeves piled on more pressure before Wood struck in the 20th over, bowling Rob Brown.
Two further wickets in the next over, the first caught and bowled by Colin Reeves, the second caught by Jon Green reduced Ruardean Hill to 53-4.
The next four overs resulted in a paltry five runs, before Steve Wood caught and bowled Pete Moore, on eight, and then clean bowled Freddie Gwilliam for zero.
The highlight of the match, and the season so far, was Steve Wood’s diving catch from fly slip, stretching out his arm to snatch the ball from the air before it hit the turf –, a catch Jonty Rhodes would have been proud of.
Dusting himself off, in the next over Woody took another wicket, this time that of Aiden Moore, lbw.
Maiden overs for Steve Wood and Steve Powell turned the screw, before captain Jon Green, bowling in the 34th over, forced an error from Shane Jones, caught by Colin Reeves, for 78 all out.
Wood finished with fighures of 4-22 and Colin Reeves 3-12 with superb bowling across the whole team including 10 maidens from the 34 overs bowled.
Openers Rich Bowman – 21 not out from 29 balls – and Jon Green 38 not out from 27 balls made quick work of the target, wrapping the game up in the 10th over, securing maximum points for the team and opening up a 37 point lead at the top of the Division Two West of the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest League..
Next week the team travel to Lydney, who had a big win on Saturday against Parkend and now sit third in the table behind Dymock.
Highnam Court slip to 4th following a heavy defeat to Dymock.