CHIPPENHAM kept up their West of England Premier Two promotion charge on Saturday with a five-wicket win over Frenchay at the Bob Clarke Memorial Ground.

The home side went into the clash looking to avenge an opening day defeat at the hands of Chippenham.

Chippenham's Ian Merryweather scored an unbeaten 73 that day, but the away side were again without their influential skipper as a result of a back injury he collected in their victory over Old Bristolians Westbury last month.

Frenchay won the toss and elected to bat first but were handed an early blow when Paul Bates trapped opener Donaldson lbw for a first ball duck in the second over.

Fellow opener March and number three batsman Carter steadied the ship and shared a stand of 34 before March was caught and bowled by Richard Bates. Niewoudt then fell quickly to Paul Clifford and the hosts were reeling at 39 for three.

Jason Searle took the first of his three wickets for 32 off 11 overs, trapping Stone lbw for 18, before former Pakistan Universities all-rounder Baqar Rizvi claimed the crucial wicket of top scorer Carter for 40.

Pascall and Luff produced a spirited response and added 34 for the sixth wicket before Searle dismissed them both for 27 and 15 respectively. The Frenchay lower order failed to trouble the scorers unduly as the hosts closed on 144 for nine after 50 overs. Chippenham were rocked in reply when Somerset Academy youngster Jack Humphrys was caught by Wilkins off the bowling of Hunkin for nought in the second over.

Richard Bates joined the in-form Mark Hunt in the middle and the duo shared a partnership of 49 before the latter was given out lbw to Luff for 14.

Baqar Rizvi joined Bates and scored a quickfire 39 from 28 deliveries as Chippenham's total moved towards the 100 mark. Rizvi became Hall's first victim of the afternoon when he was caught by Stone and Bates followed quickly after racking up a half-century.

Olly Goodway went first ball to Hall, but Lloyd and Paul Bates made sure of victory as Chippenham reached their target in the 39th over.

Chippenham 2nd v Frenchay 2nd

AUSTRALIAN overseas man Jace Lawson finished unbeaten on 39 as Chippenham 2nd completed a good day for the club with a four-wicket win over Frenchay 2nd on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and inserted Frenchay, who set Chippenham a target of 163 to win thanks largely to notable contributions from Lee, who scored 60, and Clark with 58.

Dave Silvanus, Craig Fry and Dale Bowler took two wickets apiece as Frenchay closed on 162 for six.

Chippenham were hindered in their reply by opening Frenchay bowler Elliott, who claimed the first four home wickets for 35 runs.

Nigel Rose, with 25, and 29 from Alex Clarke set the hosts on their way to victory and an unbeaten seventh wicket stand between Lawson and Ray Buller saw Chippenham home in the 42nd over.