ASTON Ingham 1st XI scraped to a one-wicket win over bottom side Westbury after another match-winning innings from Anthony James.

His 96 not out came as the rest of the visitors' batting line-up collapsed, with four ducks and the bottom seven batsmen registering only 11 scoring runs.

The narrow win leaves them just three points behind Gloucestershire One leaders Hawkesbury going into the final round of matches this Saturday, although the leaders will be hosting Westbury who have only won twice all season.

Aston looked fair for victory over the basement side after dismissing their hosts for 149 in the 42nd over, James Wagstaff with four wickets, Dan Smith three and James two.

Openers Oliver Henson and Dharzekanth Yoganadan then scored 15 and 13, but except for fourth man James' outstanding performance with 96 off 119 balls, including nine fours and five sixes, no one else made double figures.

And the nerves were jangling in a 48-run last wicket stand, where James made all the running and skipper Wagstaff contributed a single holding up the other end, with Aston finally breathing a sigh of relief by reaching 151-9 in the 44th over.

With the title on the line, Aston now need to beat Great Rissington at home on Saturday and hope that Westbury or the weather do them a favour at Hawkesbury.

The 2nds won by nine wickets at home to Westbury 2nds at the weekend, Luke Ward bagging five wickets and Charlie O'Neill two as they restricted the visitors to 112-7 off 40 overs before racing to 113-1 in half the time, Jimmy Davies firing 50 not out and Joseph Day 27.

The 3rds also won by 28 runs away to second-placed Gloucester 3rds in Cheltenham/ Gloucester/ Forest 1 West, Leo Lockwood top scoring with 38 not out in their 169-7 off 40 overs.

And three wickets from Philip Leighton and two apiece for Clyde Breetzke and Mark Mathias then helped bowl out the city side for 141 in the 37th over.

The 4ths had it easier, breezing to a 126-run win at home to Westbury 3rds, Ben Savidge firing 56 and former National Hunt jockey Tom Scudamore 30 in their 204-5, before skittling the visitors out for 78, Andrew Gardner taking three wickets and Michal Cluley and Jenson Arrowsmith two apiece.

But second-placed Goodrich 1st XI's Marches One title challenge came a cropper away to lowly Dales, losing by 58 runs.

The hosts were 182 all out, Neil Price bagging five wickets, but in reply the Wyesiders were dismissed for 124 in 30.1 overs, Jack Lewis and Harry Porter joint top scoring with 30.

But the 2nds won by six wickets at home in the reserves fixture to secure the Marches 3 title, restricting Dales to 138-9 in 40 overs before blasting to 141-4 in just 12.1 overs.

Wayne Husbands took three wickets and Adam Kibble and George Driscoll two apiece, while Ayrton Lowther starred with the bat with 66.

Sadly, Ross 1st XI conceded for the fourth straight match, while the 2nds were also unable to fulfil their fixture against Almeley.