Swindon produced another fine performance in defeating Glos/Wilts Division 2 league leaders Biddestone by 69 runs, to close the gap at the top of the table.

Swindon posted a challenging score of 258-6 in their allotted 45 overs, with Australian Darren Rourke again blasting a half-century to ensure the visitors got off to a flying start.

Rourke was ably supported by Nichols, as the pair dispatched Lodder and Perry to all parts.

Nichols was out lbw to change bowler Bedwell and Rourke was out caught off the same bowler for an explosive 67.

John Baden and the in-form Matt Baker batted sensibly, before Baden was out lbw to Unwin, and as Swindon tried to up the rate the middle order of Tucker, Paul Baden and Staff fell relatively cheaply.

Baker stood firm, to follow last week's century with another 50, as Swindon passed 200, but it was left to Mo Zohaib to provide the fireworks as he smashed 32 from only 15 balls to enable Swindon to pass the 250 mark.

Biddestone got off to the worst possible start when the combination of Nichols and Willoughby made huge inroads into the hosts' batting, as Mason, Lennon and Lodder were dismissed in the first five overs.

This brought together the dangerous pair of Perry and Boulton, and the duo proceeded to repair the Biddestone innings.

Zohaib replaced Willoughby and the tricky spinner bowled an excellent line and length to ensure the hosts were kept in check.

When Perry had reached 50, Zohaib induced a false shot and Nichols took the catch.

Three further cheap wickets fell in quick succession, with Paul Stoddard picking up the scalps of Evans and Hopkins, and Zohaib dismissing Aitkenhead, and Biddestone's challenge was effectively over.

Boulton continued to bat really well in a lost cause, and he and Bedwell frustrated Swindon in their bid to bowl the hosts out.

Willoughby returned to bowl Boulton for an excellent 82, but Bedwell remained 25 not out, as Biddestone finished on 189-8.