CORSHAM kept up the pressure on West of England Premier Division leaders Keynsham on Saturday 20 July as they returned to winning ways with a 17-run victory over Bristol West Indians.

The hosts went into the clash on the back of two defeats and were soon under pressure as the West Indians' Patrick Langlais seized the prized wicket of opener Roger Sillence with the score on one.

Paul Marsh replaced the Gloucestershire man and started well with some well-timed shots through both sides of the wicket off the bowling of Nicky Clarke.

Langlais then removed Neil Shardlow, who edged one to the wicketkeeper, and key man Marsh followed for 47 after adding 58 runs alongside Mark Coxon.

Number five batsman Phil Jordan settled into his task quickly and was joined at the crease by Steve Copland when Coxon fell to a Yorker from Clarke for 24.

Jordan and Copland added a valuable 95 between them, scoring at a rate of five runs an over, but were separated when Jordan produced a top-edged sweep that saw him caught by Courtney Ricketts at mid-wicket for 63.

Copland, who ended the innings unbeaten on 60, and the lower order batsmen ensured Corsham reached 237 for eight from their 53 overs.

Early wickets proved vital in the West Indians' reply and Sillence was the first to strike, causing Cliff Young to play on in the first over. Rick Tyson accounted for the talented James Pearson and Sillence removed Bennett as the visitors found themselves on 24 for three.

Ricketts and Crawford moved the score on to 108 before the pair were separated when Marsh had Ricketts caught by Jordan at long-on for 40.

The West Indians looked slight favourites until a devastating late spell from Australian Tyson saw Wariach, Clark and last man Langlais head back to the pavilion.

The overseas man finished with figures of four wickets for 35 runs as the visitors closed on 220 all out.