LYDNEY made a strong start against Gloucestershire County League leaders Charlton Kings but struggled as the visiting bowlers found their rhythm.

The Forest side were scoring at six an over, but a dozen overs in the rate slowly dropped and they were eventually all out in the final over.

The runs flowed freely in the early overs with opener Jonathan Kear making four boundaries before he went lbw for 18 with the score on 32.

Another 42 had been added to the score when Charlie Bendall went for 19 to make it 74-2.

The dismissal of the openers brought Alex Gooding and Henry Sleeman to the crease who attempted to reverse the decreasing run rate.

Gooding scored 43 in 38 balls including seven boundaries but Sleeman went for 17, run out after an ill-judged call for a second run.

Jordan Stone joined Gooding with Lydney on 102-3 and he would go on to be the home side’s top scorer.

Gooding was caught with Lydney on 118-4 and there were useful knocks of 14 and 15 from James Bishop and Ed Jones, who hit a four and the home side’s only six of the day.

Stone was caught to make it 183-7 and Kings mopped up the rest of the wickets for the addition of just six runs.

In reply, the visitors cruised to victory reaching the target with nearly seven to spare without losing any wickets.

Lydney picked up four batting points and are eighth in the table.