A masterful, unbeaten 110 by the prolific Tom Kelly saw Dumbleton Dynamite crowned Cheltenham Premier T20 champions last night.

They defeated holders Hatherley Hurricanes by seven runs in an excellent game at the Victoria Ground, avenging last year’s final defeat.

South Australian Kelly was rarely troubled as he batted throughout the innings to help Dumbleton post 158-5, a total that left both sides very much in the game at the halfway stage.

Kelly’s runs came off just 66 deliveries – he hit 11 fours and three sixes – with the 23-year-old always looking in control as he maintained his remarkable run of form in the competition.

It was his fourth century of the campaign and such was his dominance that Dumbleton’s next highest scorer last night – Liam Brignull – made 15.

Kelly’s innings looked even more impressive when Hatherley began their reply.

Dumbleton skipper Myles Holland dismissed both openers in the power play and when James Harber was bowled by Daniel Hammond for 23 in the 12^th over Hatherley were 67-4 and the game was tilting very much Dumbleton’s way.

But a partnership of 56 in 5.1 overs between Vihanga Kottawasinhage and skipper Joel Price gave Hatherley renewed hope, so much so that with four overs to go they needed 40 to win.

Kottawasinhage smashed 59 from just 30 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.

It was a thrilling innings and Dumbleton’s celebrations when he was caught by Lewis Rollinson off the bowling of Finn Brabham in the final over showed just how close he came to getting his side over the line.

“It was a brilliant evening,” said tournament organiser Sathya Prakash Timmaraju. “Cricket was the winner, both teams fought really well and it came down to the last two balls. It was anyone’s game up to that point.”

Prakash, who launched the competition last year, is now looking to expand the tournament in 2025.

“We need to bring other teams in, Painswick are very keen and maybe Frocester,” he said. “We’ll be looking at options, making groups where teams don’t have to travel too far.”

Dumbleton Dynamite 158-5 (20, Kelly 110 not, Magarira 2-27) Hatherley Hurricanes 151-6 (20, Kottawasinhage 59, Harber 23, Holland 2-20, Hammond 2-26).