Cleeve Cricket Club celebrated an outstanding eight-wicket victory against rivals Claverham on Saturday at Wood Memorial Ground.

Cleeve’s gloveman, Tom Carpenter, showcased an impressive performance following his wedding celebrations last Thursday.

This did not stop him from making four catches and a stumping.

Cleeve's skipper, Sam Williams, kicked off the match by inviting Claverham to bat first.

The fourth over saw Jack Spiers (4 over 1 for 16) send Alston packing to Carpenter for 1, resulting in a score of 11-1.

Andy Barnsley strived for control but was unsuccessful at his 9 overs for 33.

First change right arm seam from Glenn Lewin scored two (9 overs 2 for 31) as Copeland (23) and Richardson (28) both fell victim to Carpenter’s skills at 58-3 in the eighteenth.

Tom Baughan (6 overs 1 for 22), removed Grant for 3 as Spiers held onto a catch before right arm spin from Mitch Want resulted in Carpenter’s 4th catch behind the stumps.

Hadfield was dismissed at this point for 2, marking the score at 85-5.

As the game progressed, Watts and Gamble fought back, adding 64 before Gamble (37) became Want’s second victim (7 overs 2 for 30), as Carpenter quickly added a stumping to his 4 catches which brought the score to 150-7.

Cleeve CC maintained pressure causing Connor Hance’s steady delivery to remove Ashman LBW for 7 and Waring being bowled out for no score (4 overs 2 for 14).

Cleeve approached their chase confidently, with openers Want and Williams securing 51 runs off the first 13 overs.

The introduction of off-spin from Ashman saw Want launch an impressive assault of boundaries, accumulating 37 runs off just 2 overs.

Despite crossing his half century, Want was eventually bowled by Richardson for 69 at 110-1.

An additional 72 runs were scored before Barnsley was bowled for 27 at 182-2.

Williams secured his own half century and with a final boundary, confirmed victory in the 31st over.

The match ended with Williams securing an impressive score of 58 not out, bringing Cleeve a victory over their rivals by 8 wickets.

Looking ahead, with 4 matches remaining, Cleeve currently rank 5th in the Senior Division.

The team is set to host Hanham next, on Saturday and then face Maesteg Cricket Club the following day, on August 11 in the National T20 Cup.