Seventeen wickets fell for fewer than 75 runs in a remarkable Gloucestershire League game at Williamstrip.

But despite the dominance of the ball, Ricardo Canestra, who umpired for part of the game, insisted: “It was a decent wicket, it wasn’t doing much.”

Cricklade 2nds were shot out for just 36 in 15 overs after losing the toss, but the home side then found batting just as hard, getting home with their eighth-wicket pair at the crease.

“For a neutral it was a very exciting game but it was nothing like an 80 for 17 wicket," said Canestra, the club’s vice-captain who is currently sidelined with a hernia.

“We shuffled our batting order and I think there may have been a bit of complacency, I think we thought it would be a quick run chase.

"When the seventh wicket fell it was squeaky bum time."

The win - Williamstrip closed on 37-7 - lifted them up to third in Division 9D and while the 18 points were very welcome they came at a cost.

“Our fines committee made a lot of money," added Canestra. "All our batsmen were fined the maximum £5.

“Toby Heycock was the fines master, it was brutal!”

Heycock, batting at five, was the only Williamstrip batsman to reach double figures – he made 10 – as the home side secured victory from the second ball of the 16th over.

But while it was a difficult day for the batsmen, it was a very good day for the bowlers with Williamstrip's stand-in skipper Bruce Currie picking up 3-6 from four overs while fellow new-ball bowler Hudson Kan took 2-11 and off-spinner Tom Weir picked up 2.2 in 3.2 overs.

“We bowled very well,” said Canestra, a wicketkeeper/batsman. “Bruce was very good, as was Hudson who is only young.”

Williamstrip host Central Hall, who have yet to win this season, on Saturday and Canestra said: “We are a social team. We finished third last season, we want to get promoted.”