Despite an blistering 50-ball innings of 75 by Derek Townsend, Fairford slumped to a third consecutive loss against Frampton, the four-run margin flattering the losing team, who were again let down by some indifferent batting.

Fairford made a good start after inserting the hosts. Jones, on his return from injury, and bowling at a lively pace, took two early wickets and after Bennett, in his first match, chipped in with a further scalp, Frampton looked vulnerable at 45-3.

Huxtep however enjoyed lots of luck in an innings of 67, and, with Paul, the pair added 98 in brisk time, rattling the score to 143-3 after just 30 overs.

Moreing broke the partnership and the back of the innings with three quick wickets and, in tandem with Newport, the pair halted the scoring.

Newport harried the tail in taking three wickets for 35 as Frampton were kept to a modest score of 190.

Fairford's reply was at first a one-man show as Townsend scored freely from the first over.

Undisturbed by the early loss of two wickets, Townsend rattled off 11 fours and two sixes, dominating the crease and scoring almost at will until he fell with the score at 88 off just 15 overs.

It was a momentum soon lost as Fairford began to struggle, losing two further wickets as they slumped to 103-5.

Although Grey and Lee Clarke put together a useful 46, the visitors had already lost the imitative and were behind the required rate.

When the partnership was broken four quick wickets fell, and although some last pair frolics from Bennett took Fairford to the brink of a win, they failed by four runs.