Ref. 10175-03RICHARD Bates enjoyed a profitable weekend as Chippenham wrapped up two victories in two days.

Chippenham gained a comfortable eight wicket victory over Wiltshire rivals Warminster in the Stroud and Swindon West of England Premeir League Division Two on Saturday and followed that by beating Bath by 52 runs in the West of England Trophy at Hardenhuish on Sunday.

Warminster chose to bat first on Saturday, but after a steady start collapsed from 95 for three in 113 all out in the 40th over.

Trevor Fabien (25), Tim Harvey (32) and Tim Cowley (15) were the only Warminster batsmen to reach double figures as the Chippenham bowlers kept a tight rein on the scoring.

Captain Jason Searle was Chippenham's most successful bowler, with figures of four for 14 off 9.5 overs, and Richard Bates took three for 14 off ten.

Chippenham lost an early wicket in thier reply when Mark Hunt was bowled by Mark Gallop for two, but Ian Merryweather and Joe Breet then shared a second wicket partnership of 102 to put their side in total control.

Breet fell for 46, his innings including half a dozen fours, and Merryweather remained unbeaten on 56, including seven fours, as Chippeham romped home in the 33rd over.

Chippenham were eqully impressive in Sunday's West of England Cup game at Bath, recording a 52 run win.

Batting first, Chippenham made 212 for nine in their 45 overs, with the major contributions coming from Richard Bates and Jack Humphrys. Bates amde 66 off 76 balls, including 12 fours, and Humphrys made 60 off 81 balls, including seven fours. Other useful contributions came from Nick Pocock (22) and Jason Searle (19).

Bath were quickly in trouble in their reply, losing both openers with only 16 runs on the board. Most of the middle order batsmen made a start, but no one was able to go and play the major innings required and their reply finished on 160 all out in the 42nd over.

Richard Bates finished with figures of three for 39 off seven overs and brother Richard took two for 20 from 12.