SWINDON managed to beat the showers and record their first victory of the Gloucestershire & Wiltshire League Division One campaign against neighbours Goatacre at the County Ground.

Pre-match preparations had been affected by the loss of captain Will Nichols with a dislocated shoulder.

Vice-captain Darren Beasant took over the leadership, winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

The Goatacre innings started quickly with Kevin Iles capitalising on anything slightly over-pitched, before being caught behind off the bowling of Pete Stichcombe for 25.

Tom Fox bowled with pace and control and was unlucky to finish his opening spell without a wicket.

Willoughby replaced Fox, and immediately had Ferris caught in the gully by Baker. Stinchcombe struck again, Wilkins slashing to Fox at point and with Willoughby bowling Richardson for two, Goatacre were struggling at 63-5.

Zohaib and part-time bowler John Baden then worked wonders, Goatacre captain Turner skying a catch to Beasant off Zohaib and then Baden yorking Parish.

Swindon's commited fielding kept the visitors on the back foot, and Oliver's long vigil was ended by a direct hit from Neil Patel.

Zohaib accounted for the next two Goatacre batsmen in quick succession and Fox returned to pick up a well deserved wicket, as the visitors were bundled out for only 86.

The Swindon openers started cautiously but Australian Brett Sydney-Smith soon found his feet, though, and along with Paul Baden took the score to 40-0 until play was interrupted by heavy shower.

After a half-hour delay play resumed and Swindon quickly progressed to the revised target of 82 in the 19th over, Sydney-Smith with an unbeaten half-century.