A DEPLETED Corsham line-up paid the price for a poor batting display as they were beaten by 30 runs at Cheltenham on Saturday 13th July.

All-rounder Paul Marsh skippered the side in the absence of Craig Gibbens, but lost the toss and Cheltenham opted to bat first on what looked a hard and dry surface.

Seam bowlers Roger Sillence and Rick Tyson produced a fine opening spell and the home side were soon reduced to 40 for three as Gloucestershire man Sillence grabbed the wickets of Beard Pope and Howell.

Careful innings from Hodnett and Hall consolidated matters for the hosts, but an excellent bowling and fielding display saw the run rate reduced to little more than two an over.

Hall fell to Matt Holland with the score on 117 for four, while Sillence tasted further joy when he removed Godding for 1. The prized wicket of Hodnett was next as he was caught by Neil Shardlow off Sillence for 65.

Sillence's five wickets for 57 was the pick of a fine bowling effort as Cheltenham closed on 180 for nine.

Mark Coxon and Sillence began well in reply and the latter almost single-handedly took the score to 37 before he perished off the bowling of Stewart for 31.

Coxon soon followed for five after an excellent caught and bowled by Baxter, and Phil Jordan and Paul Marsh added a further ten before a thick outside edge from Jordan saw him caught at cover point.

Marsh continued to battle on throughout a flurry of wickets, but when he became the third victim of a dubious umpiring decision when on 71, the visitors' lingering hopes had gone and they were swiftly dismissed for 150 in the 41st over.