Opening batsman Tawanda Maposa smashed the ball to all parts to set up Charlton Super Kings’ first win in this season’s Cheltenham Premier T20.

The 25-year-old hit 109 from just 46 balls as Charlton Kings defeated Tewkesbury Royals by 64 runs last night, a result that lifts them up to fourth in the six-strong division.

It was the first time that Maposa, the club’s overseas player from Zimbabwe, had opened the innings and team-mate Gavin Williams said: “It was like watching the 15-year-old [Vaibhav Sooryavanshi] in the IPL, every ball in his area was going.

“It was a great innings, he’s strong all round the ground. On another day he’d have scored even more because he hit some excellent shots straight to the fielders.”

Maposa hit 14 fours and six sixes before being dismissed at the end of the 12^th over with the score on 146.

Opening partner Benny Ellis was the second highest scorer with 28 – they put on 117 – as Charlton Kings were dismissed for 203 with one ball of their innings remaining.

Maposa, whose younger brother Tinotenda plays white ball cricket for Zimbabwe, then opened the bowling alongside Ellis, who picked up 2-26, as Tewkesbury were restricted to 139-7 with James Whitmore top-scoring with 36.

Charlton Kings currently occupy the final play-off spot and are just two points behind joint leaders Bourton Vale Vikings and Dumbleton Dynamite.

Just three points separate top from bottom although third-placed Hatherley Hurricanes and Tewkesbury, currently bottom, have played three games whereas the rest of the division have played four.

“We haven’t done so well in the competition in the past but we’re definitely stronger this season,” said Williams. “I think every team is quite well matched.”

Last night’s other results: Dumbleton Dynamite 174-9 (20) Bourton Vale 163-4 (20, Musa Twala 50); Hatherley Hurricanes 190-5 (20, Aranyadev Jhala 70) Cheltenham Spartans 193-4 (18.1, Chris Williams 57).