Cricket: Big-hitting skipper Joe Breet selflessly highlighted youngster Sayeed Ibrahim as his side’s inspirational figure in their comfortable victory at Stroud on Saturday.

The pair came together with the score on 42-1 and played magnificently to put on a partnership of 240 to help make the result safe after just one innings.

Ibrahim made 102 from 113 balls with 14 fours and one six while Breet blasted 135 from 147 balls.

“They asked us to bat but after the toss I also thought it was a bowl-first wicket,” said the captain.

“He’s been playing for the first time for a while but he’s very talented and so a lot is expected of him.

“After we lost an early wicket I just said to him ‘take your time and take your chances’ which he did. I think he proved a lot of people right with that innings.”

In reply, the opening combination of Andy Carroll and Richard Oakley made early inroads and reduced Stroud to 12-3, all but ending their hopes of victory.

As their task became greater, the home side started to desperately hit out, which allowed Martin Dolman to clean up the tail and record figures of 5-32.

“Believe it or not I think our strength is our bowling,” said Breet. “We nearly always take eight or nine wickets every week.

“Towards the end they knew the game was lost but that allowed us to get more bowling points which will all add up towards the end of the season.”

Westbury, who host Rockhampton on Saturday, are now top of the Glos/Wilts Division and Breet believes the title is within their grasp.

“Of the three disciplines, we tend to do two really well,” he said. “But when we do all three well then we are a very good, competitive side. So we’ve got a chance, as long as we keep working hard.”