ST Briavels clinched victory against a good Cinderford St John side to retain their unbeaten start to the CGF League Division One West season.

Set a target of 168 after being put in to bat, St Briavels got the required runs with nine balls of their 40 overs to spare.

Matt Jones made an early breakthrough taking the wicket of Chloe Skelton – who hit an undefeated 109 the week before – for three and also bowled fellow opener Steve Skelton for nine.

The Cinderford innings was strengthened by the contributions of Simon Gwynne and Craig Roberts.

Gwynne went lbw to James Buffrey one run short of his half century and Roberts was bowled by Darryl Reynolds – back after a absence of two years – for 44.

The home side were 130-4 at drinks and were looking to put on more runs in the final 10 overs.

The wickets also included that of Keith Smith who was run out courtesy of an accurate throw from near the boundary by captain Stuart Williams, who had also claimed the wicket of Daniel Kibble who was caught by Will Peters.

St Briavels got off to a good start with some well-taken shots by openers Will Peters and James Buffrey.

The dismissals of Peters, lbw to Chloe Skelton, for 36 and Jake Bryant, bowled for eight by Andrew Cottrell, brought Williams to the crease.

The captain sent the ball to all parts of the field, putting the visitors well ahead of the required run rate.

He was caught by Cottrell of the bowling of Gwynne for 53.

The middle order of Matt Jones, David Perrett and Phillip Seabury batted sensibly to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Jones was caught by Roberts off Chloe Skelton for 12, Perrett was bowled by Gwynne for 10 and Seabury caught and bowled by Roberts for seven.

With seven wickets down, Brevs needed 30 off the last seven overs but Neil Smith (15) and a couple from James Buffrey saw them home with one and a half overs in hand.

St Briavels are second in the table behind Alvington and Woolaston who won at Huntley.