SWINDON are top of the division with a win over determined Biddestone on the weekend, but face two tough encounters in the remaining fixtures to stay there

In this match, Biddestone won the toss and elected to bat, the opening pair of Mason and Sam Thornton starting slowly against the accurate Roger Willoughby and the swing of Barrett.

Willoughby bowled Mason in the fifth over with only six runs scored. Biddestone captain Perry then came into bat and began to make inroads into the Swindon attack, especially against Willoughby.

Barrett then bowled Thornton in the 18th over with 50 runs on the board. Change bowler Zohaib then accounted for Lodder in the 21st over with 63 runs amassed and only Perry showing any resistance.

Rourke was then brought into the fray and accounted for the Biddestone numbers five and six, Boulton and Boore, with consecutive balls. The visitors were in disarray on 89 for 5 in the 26th over.

Number seven, Miller, followed his compatriots in the next over, caught by Rourke off Zohaib.

Bedwell then joined Perry and they attempted to increase the rate before Rourke bowled Perry for a hard earned 52 with the total on 114. New bat Aitkenhead and Bedwell kept the runs flowing until two bowling changes, the return of Willoughby and the introduction of Watts, brought Swindon dividends.

Biddestone struggled to 141 for 9, and Willoughby, having bowled three consecutive maidens, then forced last man Hopkins to hit his own wicket trying to avoid a ball with pace and lift. Biddestone were all out for 143 in the 43rd over of the allotted 45.

In Swindon's reply, Rourke took most of the early strike against the pace of Lodder, and Perry was moving along nicely when Nichols fell to Lodder in the eighth over for only one with the total on 30.

The Swindon captain John Baden then joined Rourke, who in an attempt to push the score on, was caught at mid-wicket by Unwin with 36 scored in the 11th over.

Swindon then experienced a minor collapse as the usually reliable Baker and the promoted Spencer fell within four balls of each other to the bowling of Lodder.

New batsman Tucker did not fare any better, and Biddestone could sense an upset.

The experienced pairing of Baden and Watts rebuilt the innings by playing sensible cricket and made a stand of sixty-nine before Baden was caught by Boulton for a valuable 38.

Staff then joined Watts with three wickets left but 19 runs needed and they played the sensible options, Watts eventually hitting the winning runs with five overs to spare to take him to 52 not out.