A MUCH-improved Fairford performance was not enough to defeat runaway league leaders Apperley who are now certain for promotion.

Bowling first, Apperley got off to a flying start, racing past 50 after only nine overs then 200 off only 20 as Leeke worked the short boundary to hammer a quick 54 before falling to Messer, who produced a lively spell.

Newport, with 5-63, and Moreing, a season's best of 4-50, in their contrasting styles then worked through the rest of the home batting, the only real resistance coming from Moore, who hit a punishing 48.

Town were to again lose an early wicket and then two more after brief cameos from Clarke and Brothers.

As before, Grey with Greener rebuilt, then looked in little trouble as they began to up the scoring rate.

The pair had added 84 at a run a ball, due in the main to the hard-hitting Greener racing past 50 with five sixes, before Grey fell for a fine 44.

Greener followed run out for 64 due to an unsporting piece of fielding which was technically a dead ball situation.

Despite a request for clarification, the umpires incorrectly called Greener out.

Fairford, at 166-5, required a further 70 at five an over, and could not regain any composure.

They fell away badly and were bowled out for 203, having lost seven wickets for just 41 runs.

Fairford dropped to third in the county league table and could go second, but promotion is now virtually impossible.