Westbury-on-Severn are back in the top two after the battle for promotion to WEPL from the Gloucestershire County League took another dramatic twist.

Cheltenham 2nds, who began the day in pole position in Division One, suffered a seven-wicket home reverse against Westbury who moved up a place to second.

And Kingsholm, second at the start of play, are now on top thanks to a ten-wicket romp away to Redmarley.

Cheltenham, who won the toss, were pegged back to 162-9 from their 45, Stefan Hunt at No 9 top scoring with 70 as James Walkley-Cox struck with 3-26, supported superbly by skipper Dan Hockaday (2-16) and Jon Hargreaves (1-15, all from nine).

Opener Jon Tegg then anchored the Westbury reply with an unbeaten 71 to give his side plenty of hope with two more rounds of games to go.

It was a terrific day too for Kingsholm who dismissed Redmarley for only 141, Sam Wheeler capturing 3-29, before James Boon (80) and Ross Tominey (37) made light work of their target.

Charlton Kings are up to fourth and also remain in the shake-up following a five-wicket defeat of Cranham, Chris Burrow (4-36) and Tim Griffiths (47 not) the stars.

Lydney’s hopes though were shaken after being rumbled for 83 at Painswick who eased in by seven wickets.

One of the biggest surprises of the day came in Division Two where relegation-threatened Stone overturned runaway leaders Cam by four wickets.

Skipper Jake Dolbear (55) and Ed Paddock (42) dominated Cam’s total of 144, James Thomas and Ian Hall taking three wickets apiece.

Stone were in trouble at 30-4 and then 52-6 but an unbroken stand between Pete Booth (59) and Charlie Ball (34) ensured a welcome victory.

Poulton, in second, eased in by five wickets at home to Hatherley and Reddings 2nds, Mark Burton unbeaten on 82.

Chipping Sodbury 2nds were rushed out for only 37 and a 127-run reverse against Cinderford St John, Mark House (6-21) and Simon Gwynne (3-4) the heroes with the ball.

Mike Baberstock, meanwhile, turned in one of the bowling displays of the summer to capture 8-19 from just eight overs to steer Tetbury to a 67-run triumph over struggling Gloucester City Winget 2nds.

In Division Three, Slaughters United defeated Great Rissington by four wickets and took advantage of results around them to move up to third and keep alive hopes of promotion.

Mark Saunders (4-25) and Jon Malan (3-31) struck as Rissington were bowled out for 173 before skipper Angus Hayward (57) and Malan (39) shone in a comfortable win.

Elsewhere, Shurdington remain second despite a 58-run setback at Rockhampton 2nds while Woodpeckers, third at the start of the day, slipped a place following a seven-wicket defeat away to Lydney 2nds.

Aston Ingham, meanwhile, were comfortable eight-wicket victors over fellow high-flyers Witcombe in an important Division Four clash.

Paul O’Neill bagged 4-29 from nine as Witcombe struggled to 167, a target within easy reach for Jack Carpenter (62 not) and James Hamilton (52 not).

The result meant Aston Ingham leapfrogged Witcombe to go second and four points clear of their rivals.

The title, though, is just about in the hands of Hawkesbury Upton who trumped Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds by 46 runs, skipper Jer Westwood top scoring with a patient 56.

At the other end of the table, Dumbleton 2nds moved out of the drop zone with a 38-run home success over fellow strugglers Birdlip and Brimpsfield, Adrian Zagoritis (107) and Robbie Hardwick (89) sharing a large unbroken stand.

Shock of the day came in Division Five where champions Langford suffered a four-wicket reverse away to St Stephens.

Minchinhampton and Kings Stanley, second and third at the start of the day, both lost, to Apperley 2nds and Haresfield Gladiators, respectively, and that allowed Tewkesbury 2nds to leap into second place courtesy of a nine-wicket win over Sheepscombe.