WILTSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE: ANOTHER cold, wet, miserable Saturday took its toll on the Wiltshire League, with more than half the matches either cancelled or abandoned at tea.

Even so there was enough cricket played to produce a tie, two hat-tricks and a century.

In Division One relegated Purton's poor start to the season continued as they were well beaten at Biddestone.

Dwaine Perry (69), Alan Low (53 not out) and John Mason (39) helped Biddestone to 238 for four.

Purton were then bowled out for 117 in the 36th over, with Mike Tasker the pick of Biddestone's bowlers, taking four for 31 in 8.3 overs.

Calne entertained Collingbourne and with 50 from Len Bates and 32 from John Giddings reached 147 for nine as Ben Doherty, four for 28 in eight overs, and Mick Chandler, two for nought, did most of the damage.

Despite an excellent 59 from Tom Edmunds and 25 not out from John Addis, the remainder of the Collingbourne batsmen struggled for runs against accurate bowling; particularly by Chris Downham, four for 31 in nine overs, and Dan Knights, two for 23 in seven, and were bowled out for 117.

At Beanacre, visiting Potterne scored 187 all out, with useful contributions from Graham Grainger (28), Geoff Jones (28) and Chris Fortune (28). For Beanacre Andy Footner took three for 51 in 12 overs and Rob Howard four for 30 in 10. In reply, despite 67 from Footner, it was the Potterne bowlers, Fred Kerley, three for 42 in 15 overs and Geoff Down, two for 24 in six overs who finally had the last word as they dismissed their hosts for 164 to gain a 23 run win with 20 balls remaining.

The match at Westinghouse against Burbage and ER made it to tea and then was rained off.

Division Two

ONLY one game survived, at Melksham, where Cooper-Avon Tyres gained a comfortable nine wicket victory over Sutton Veny.

The visitors were bowled out for 109, with Chris Shearn taking three for five in three overs and Steve Rendell four for 15 in eight.

Darren Perrin (49 not out) and Derek Wilde (38 not out) then knocked off the runs off with 22 overs to spare.

Division Three

BATHFORD scored 178 for six, thanks mainly to Paul Merrett (68 not out) and Paul Jackson (57) against Dauntsey Gentlemen.

Oz Clark then took six for 44 in 13 overs to see Bathford to a narrow 17 run win. Pete Biggs (72) and Dave Sherritt (33) helped Dauntsey to 161 all out with 14 balls left.

Blunsdon made an inauspicious start to their campaign as they were bowled out for 88 at home to Spye Park. In a rain affected game Spye reached their revised target of 69 for the loss of one wicket.

Division Four

ONLY one game in this division survived, at Lambourn where the home team made 151 all out, with John Ashdown making 43 and Paul Hawkins 20 as Tom Aylesbury took three for 18 in 6.5 overs for visiting Warminster 3rds.

Paul Annetts, with 7-11 in 9.2 overs including a hat-trick, and Kim Reed, one for seven in nine overs, then bowled Warminster out for their lowest ever league total of just 30.

Division Five

IN a rain affected game at Burbage the home side's 2nds entertained Buscot Park 2nds.

Batting first Burbage made 150 for seven, with John Wheeler making 43 and fellow opener Peter Street 44. Chasing a revised target of 117 from 35 overs.

Buscot, thanks to Derek Wilkins (48) and Neil Phillips (32) made it with four wickets down and 21 balls to spare.

The tied match was at United Churches where visiting Nettleton closed on 164 for nine and Churches were 164 for eight in reply.

Division Six

WESTINGHOUSE 2nds were the visitors to All Cannings in the only Division Six game. where any play was possible.

The visitors had made 30 for four when rain stopped play.

Division Seven

DAUNTSEY Gentlemen 2nds entertained United Churches 2nds and scored 163 for eight, with Neil Thomas (27), Gordon Mitchell (33) and Mel Cammish (38 not out) the major contributors.

The pick of Churches' bowlers was Paul Walker, with three for 28 in nine overs. Against accurate bowling the visitors struggled for runs, a patient 29 from Danny Hunt enabling them to manage 102 for nine as Thomas took four for 32 in 15 overs and Mitchell three for 36 in 12.

Clive Warren's 106 helped Bradford Town 2nds to 232 all out at Marshfield 3rds. Geoff Hall, four for 51 in 13 overs, and Dave Wharton, four for 84 in 14 overs, were the major wicket takers.

Marshfield struggled for form and were soon five wickets down very cheaply, but then a fine 59 not out from 14-year-old John Clegg helped them to a respectable 129 for nine.

Bath Civil Service 2nds were bowled out for just 70 by Beehive Bradford, with Alan Day, three for 20 in nine overs, Ali Goddard, two for 12 in 13 overs, and Lee Hambley, three for 25 in 15 overs, doing the damage. Simon Ellerman (16) top scored.

Beehive went on to win by six wickets, with useful contributions from Vince Gay, John Sheppard and Alan Hill as Trevor Purchase took three for 24 in 10.5 overs.

Division Eight

HIGHWORTH 2nds gained a big win, by 90 runs, over visiting Bathford 2nds.

Simon Green (71) and Craig Bell (34) helped Highworth to 193 for five then accurate bowling restricted Bathford's reply to 103 for seven. Mike Knowles (34) and Calor Aguera (31) were the major run scorers, with Tom White taking two for five in four overs and Geoff Halls one for 14 in 12.

In the only other match played in this Division, Biddestone 3rds were bowled out for 101 at Corsham 4ths, only Chris Smith with a battling 43 not out offering much resistance as Martin Hick took five for 24 in 10 overs and skipper Paul Dennett claiming a hat-trick - one stumped, one bowled, one caught -to finish with three for 10 in nine overs.

Steve Copland (47 not out) and 13-year-old opener Hamlin Goodrich (30 not out) then took Corsham to a comfortable eight wicket win.