Gloucestershire Women made a perfect start to the 2018 season, winning both games of their opening weekend County Championship double-header.

A young squad fielding four debutants recorded an 11-run victory over Oxfordshire at Brislington – before romping to a resounding 228-run win over Buckinghamshire the following day.

One of those new faces, Chloe Skelton (Newent), put in the standout performance of the weekend with her maiden hundred – a magnificent unbeaten 134 against Bucks.

The back-to-back victories put Gloucestershire clear on points at the top of their division.

In the opening match of the season v Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire skipper Abby Evans (Bristol Phoenix) won the toss and led from the front with 84 from 110 balls after opening the innings.

She was well-supported by 17-year-old debutant 17 Naima Milhofer (Frenchay) who made 38 from 41 balls and Charlie Phillips (25) (Brislington) as the home side were bowled out for 224 in the penultimate over.

In reply Oxfordshire started well, reaching 39 before good fielding from Skelton at point ran out Carla Wood for 13. The visitors rebuilt through new batter Eleanor Ingram and Genny Porter before the latter was trapped LBW by Lucy Gladdy (2-35) (University of Gloucestershire) for 33.

This wicket sparked a mini collapse as another wicket for Gladdy and one for fellow spinner Phillips (1-31) reduced Oxfordshire to 85-4.

Number six Sophie Mitchelmore, who had earlier taken 4-37, held the innings together with a well-made 52. But when she became Millie Rossiter’s first Gloucestershire wicket to make it 185-7, the visitors’ hopes of winning faltered.

Two more wickets for Rossiter (3-37) and one for fellow opening bowler Sidra Khan (1-43) (Bristol Phoenix) completed a solid victory for last year’s division toppers as Oxforshire were bowled out for 213.

Gloucestershire Women v Oxfordshire Women (at Brislington CC)
ECB Women’s County Championship, Division 3, Group C
Gloucestershire 224 all out (48.3 overs)
Oxfordshire 213 all out (47.1 overs)
Gloucestershire won by 11 runs

The following day, Skelton – who fell for a duck on her competitive debut against Oxforshire – more than made up for it with a fantastic 134 not out against Buckinghamshire. Opening the innings, the 17-year-old carried her bat, facing 143 balls and smashing 19 fours as Gloucestershire amassed 315 from their 50 overs.

Skelton shared in an opening partnership of 91 with Evans (38) and 62 with fellow 17-year-old Molly Thomas (Bristol Phoenix) who crashed 42 from 24 balls on her competitive debut.

In reply Gloucestershire opened the bowling with off-spinner Phillips and the decision paid off as she claimed the first three wickets to fall as Buckinghamshire slipped to 56-3.

Skelton and Gladdy took two wickets each and there was also a wicket on debut for 16-year-old Helen Cutler (Claverham) as the visitors wrapped up an emphatic 228-run victory with 17.1 overs to spare.

Following the matches Lisa Pagett, who along with Gareth Dawson and Neil Higginson is part of the new-look Gloucestershire Women’s coaching team, said: “It was great to get two early season wins with such a young squad. Despite missing a number of last season’s players the girls picked up where the team left off last season.

“It was particularly pleasing to see the youngsters not only playing but making major contributions.

“Chloe impressed us in the pre-season tour of Sri Lanka where she showed real application and grit in difficult conditions. To see her take this into the season and make her maiden 100 is testament to the hard work she has put in and bodes well for the season ahead.”

Buckinghamshire Women v Gloucestershire Women (at Amersham Hill CC)
ECB Women’s County Championship, Division 3, Group C
Gloucestershire 315-8 (50 overs)
Buckinghamshire 87 all out (32.5 overs)
Gloucestershire won by 228 runs