MARLBOROUGH completed their pre-season preparations with a defeat at local rivals Calne.

They won the toss and skipper Navid Ahmad decided to bat.

Peter Day opened the innings with Andy Halliday and both played with confidence against tight bowling from Calne's South African player Botes.

He eventually had Day caught for three while Halliday made an impressive 23 before he was caught.

Hendy Alleyne, at No 3, looked at ease as he moved easily to 29 before he was caught off the bowling of Botes.

Jiggy Patel made a quickfire nine and Richard Turnell was in good form making 29 before he was asked to retire to allow the other batsmen some time at the wicket.

Only Frank Whiting took advantage, with 12 before he was run out.

The skipper was caught having scored seven and the other batsmen did little to test the scorer as Marlborough were all out for 126, Botes with 4-18 being well supported by Key (2-13) and Cunningham (2-19).

The Calne innings was given a very steady start by Botes and Sheppard.

Botes made 31 before he was caught off the bowling of Dobson while Sheppard hit a patient 17 before he was judged out caught by wicketkeeper Halliday off the bowling of Vik Patel.

Knight was well caught and bowled by David Slater for 12, who deserved a better return than 1-25 from his nine overs.

Peter Mathias bowled a mean spell of 10 overs, conceding just 12 runs for the one wicket of Harris, caught at slip by Whiting.

Knight (12 not out) and Neil Gladding (28 not out), together with 18 extras saw Calne home with four overs to spare.