Wiltshire Cricket League round-up

Visiting struggling Buscot Park then held their hosts to 181-5 with Hamish Miller 74 and Chris Lockley 45. Jeremy Brett with a fine 110 not out and Chris Downham 48 then steered Calne to a seven-wicket victory with six overs to spare.

Much closer was the battle between second and third, Box and Westinghouse, at Westinghouse. With runs hard to get throughout Box managed 133-8 with Richard Foley 36 and Neil Pettit 28 as John Cleverley took 2-20 in 14 overs and Paul Bailey 3-19 in 12. Equally tight bowling from Box, Richard having 2-26 in 15 overs then made Westinghouse battle for every run. Steve Hawker (23 not out) top scored and with most batsmen chipping in a few runs Westinghouse eventually won off the penultimate ball by one wicket.

At Beanacre bottom of the table Nalgo made 165-3 with Shaz Khan (60 not out) and Stuart Metcalfe (73). Andrew Storey taking 3-44 in 15 overs. Beanacre proceeded to knock the runs off in 26.4 overs for the loss of four wickets thanks to R Dhutta a rapid 75 not out. For Nalgo Shaz took 2-15 in six overs and Quazi 2-41 in six.

Biddestone lost ground at the top as they went down by eight wickets at home to Burbage and ER. Biddestone scored 154-9 with Piers Robson (56) and Howell Evans (36) top scoring whilst Rob Baxter took 4-43 in his 15 overs for Burbage.

A winning third wicket stand between Pete Balcombe (56 not out) and Pete Amor (63 not out) then took the visitors to victory with five balls remaining. Chris Boulton taking 2-34 in 11 overs for the host. In the mid-table clash at Bath between Bath Civil Service and Potterne the home side emerged victorious by 19 runs.

Civil Service making 170 all out with John Dunne 49 and Adam Sainsbury taking 4-42 in 13 overs. In reply Potterne were bowled out for 151 with James Gaiger 49 top scoring and Paul Wood taking 5-51 in 13 overs.

Division Two

COLLINGBOURNE and Nationwide House would appear to have already sorted out the top two places. Both sides had comfortable victories whilst their nearest three challengers all managed to lose.

Pride of place however must go to Highworth who pulled off their first victory at the expense of Great Bedwyn. Highworth batted first and scored 189-8 with Lee Beaver (70) and Dave Miller (40) with Joe Blundy taking 5-43 in 12 overs.

Bedwyn were then bowled out for 170; Neil Maycock (40) top scoring as Martin Souter took 5-65 in 12 overs. Collingbourne entertained third-placed Lechlade and rattled up 221-2 thanks to Tom Edmunds (136 not out) and Ben Nicholls (39 not out). Ben Doherty then took 4-24 in 13 overs and Barry Langfield 4-25 in nine as Lechlade were dismissed for 87.

At Sutton Veny the home side were restricted to 148-9 by visiting Nationwide House who proceeded to knock the runs off for the loss of four wickets, Eddy Roofe (50) top scoring.

Minety visited Swindon Civil Service and struggled for runs, finally closing on 131-6 with Alister Brown 58 not out. As for Civil Service Sayed Amed took 5-14 in 15 overs. Michael Giddings with 36 then steadied their response as they found runs hard to get against accurate bowling. Chris Mabberley 3-32 in 15 overs, but they finally won by three wickets.

Bradford Town continue to struggle and were shot out for 52 at home to Cooper-Avon Tyres. The damage being done by Rich Jory (4-29 in 12 overs) and Paul Hunt (6-21 in 14). Cooper-Avon going on to win by seven wickets.

Division Three

URCHFONT consolidated their second place as they gained a four-wicket home victory over bottom placed Spye Park.

Spye batted first and scored 140-7 with John Beale (jn, 42), Mark Bateman taking 3-30 in 15 overs. Mark then top scored for Urchfont with 37 not out as their win came with eight overs left. Wanborough replaced Swindon 3rd XI in third spot as they won by 20 runs.

Mike Pethick 42 top scored in Wanborough's 171-8 and despite Alan Dickinson (54), Swindon were bowled out for 158. In the lower reaches both Dauntsey Gentlemen and Seagry picked up welcome wins.

Dauntsey entertained Moredon Royal Oak and with Nick Marshall taking 5-41 in 15 overs restricted Moredon to 140-8 with Tim Saint 30 not out top scoring a solid 60 from Gavin Walter then helped Dauntsey to a five-wicket success with three overs to spare.

At Seagry the home side posted 180-9 with Morris Purton (42) top scoring. For visiting Bathford Bobby Ball (with 4-35 in 12 overs) was their most successful bowler. Economical bowling from Walter Tidmarsh (3-21 in 15 overs) and Alex Morris (3-28 in 15) helped bowl Bathford out for 77.

Division Four

HEYTESBURY take over as leaders as Ramsbury forfeited their match unable to raise a side.

They lead because of the day's biggest upset at Lambourn where high flying Blunsdon crashed to their first defeat of the season. Lambourn made 166-5 with Ian Hobbs 74 not out and Garry Hawkins 22. Paul Annetts with 6-15 in 9.2 overs and Keith Reid 4-26 in nine then shot Blunsdon out for just 43. At the other end of the division it is getting tighter following wins for Bradford Town 2nd XI and Coates.

At Westbury 3rd XI Bradford lost two early wickets to young Alex Ling (who finished with 3-58 in 10 overs). Then John Edwards (56) and Tom Livingstone (41) put on 93 and with Dave Edwards (40) Bradford closed on 207-7. For Westbury Craig Mengham bowled well without luck to end with 0-31 in 15 overs.

Westbury lost early wickets to Steve Crute 2-33 in 15 overs and that man Dave Edwards 2-36 in 11. It was left to skipper Anton Newton with 59 not out to steer Westbury to a final total of 153-9.

At Mildenhall, Coate's Nick Money was man of the match. He top scored with 57 in their 183-5 then took 5-46 as Mildenhall were bowled out for 126.

Wroughton in third dented fellow challengers Corsham 3rd XI's chances with a three-wicket win. Corsham making 143-9, Chris Walwyn a miserly spell of 1-12 in 15 overs. Then 48 from Mike Ekins steered Wroughton to victory with four balls to spare.

Division Five

LEADERS Avebury were pegged back as they lost for the first time at challenging Warminster 3rds.

Avebury scoring 181-8 and going down by four wickets. Wilcot maintain their challenge as they scored 224-4 at home to United Churches with Kim Mister 83. Churches replied with a slow 120-6, James Hill 71. The brakes applied by Roger Cope with 0-20 in 15 overs and Martin Crook 2-23 in 15.

Burbage 2nd XI lost ground following a home defeat at the hands of lowly Lavington. Lavington scored 238-8 with John Wiltshire an excellent 102. For Burbage Ashley Rosier bowled well to take 4-64 in 15 overs. Chris White responded with 4-45 in eight overs and only Archie Swatton (70) enabled Burbage to reach 159 all out with seven overs remaining.

Chippenham 3rd XI made 140-8 with Tom Freegard (39) and Mike Hunt (25) against visiting Nettleton for whom Tom Blekin took 4-36. Tom Freegard then took 4-12 in 5.3 overs and Mike 3-28 in 10 as Nettleton were dismissed for 92, Ed Packer and Tom Blekin both 16.

Division Six

LEADERS Litten Tree and Buscot Park 2nd XI continue to stretch their lead following comfortable wins.

At Goatacre 3rd XI Litten Tree amassed 241-5 with Colin Blake (97 not out) and Malcolm Brown (53). For Goatacre Colin Beattie took 2-50 in his 15 overs. Malcolm then took 4-14 in eight overs and Steve King 2-14 in nine as Goatacre were bowled out for 60. At Calne the home side's 2nd XI made 143 all out and lost by nine wickets to Buscot 2nds.

Lacock raced to 309-3 at Box 2nd XI thanks to a sparkling 175 not out from Charlie Doel, ably supported by Brian Harding (50) and Lee Ellis (33). Chris Harding then took 3-8 in nine overs, Alex Doel 3-45 in 15 and Kim Barnett 2-6 as Box made 103 all out in response, Elgin Diaz 44. Biddestone 2nds slipped to a surprise defeat at lowly Cooper-Avon Tyres 2nd XI, Sam Thornton (60) top scored in Biddestone's 160-6. Simon Bailey with 85 not out then led Cooper-Avon to a seven-wicket success with 10 overs to spare.

Division Seven

WITH leaders Wootton Bassett 3rd XI losing and their nearest three challengers all winning, 18 points cover the top four.

Bassett stay top despite their defeat at challengers Nationwide House 2nd XI who close the gap in third place. Nationwide made 205-9 with Darren Mile 40, Tom Powell taking 3-54 in 10 overs.

In reply Bassett were bowled out for 175 despite Dave Griffen (57) and Dave Thomas (46) as Andy Lewis took 6-18 in five overs and Chris Trewhella 2-52 in 15.

In second place Westinghouse 2nd XI visited All Cannings and won by eight wickets. They bowled their hosts out for 102 of which Richard Holman scored a gritty 48 as Steve Thomson took 5-37 in 15 overs. John Miles (62) then helped knock the runs off in 23 overs.

Dauntsey Gentlemen 2nd XI picked up a welcome win as they disposed of Bradford Town 3rd XI by eight wickets. Bradford could manage just 48 all out as Paul Andow took 8-15 in 8.2 overs. Dauntsey then knocked the runs off in just 7.4 overs. Trowbridge A made 221-7 at home to Beanacre 2nd XI with David Gibson (58) and Luke Dent (43). Tom Suki taking 3-41 in 15 overs for Beanacre. Graham Booth 3-16 in eight and Steve Chalk 3-10 in eight overs then helped dismiss Beanacre for 80.

Batting performance of the day was at Potterne where visiting Bath Civil Service 2nds rattled up 362-4. This thanks to the second highest individual score of 237 not out by Graham Randolph who had admirable support from Dave Potter (51) and Mike Smith (55). Potterne were then restricted to 117-4 in reply, Brendan Baker a patient 54 not out and Tony Stanfield 32.

Division Eight

IT'S as you were in the division as the top five sides all won.

Beehive Bradford take over as leaders having gained more bonus points in their match with Highworth 2nd XI. Beehive made 211-9 with Mike Spong (43), Ivan Mahany (39 not out) and Lee Hambly (38).

Geoff Hall (3-39 in 15 overs) being the pick of Highworth's bowlers. Jim Doherty then had the splendid figures of 9-17 in 12.5 overs as Highworth slumped to 37 all out.

In second spot Warminster 4th XI visited Bathford 2nds's who made 169-5 with Mike Noel (76 not out) and John Higgs (35) putting on 103 for the first wicket. Aaron Malik's 65 not out then helped Warminster to a four-wicket victory.

Cherhill 2nd XI bowled visiting Biddestone 3rd XI out for 68, Peter Moorew (23) top scoring as Pat Andrews (3-4), Paul Parks (3-16 in 10 overs) and Malcolm Parrack (3-2 in four) did the damage. With 30 not out from Steve Hutchison Cherhill was helped to an easy nine-wicket win.

At Wootton Bassett 4ths the home side made just 88 all out against Swindon 4ths for whom 13-year-old Craig Taylor took 3-10 in 4.5 overs and Neil Wilkinson 3-14.

Fourteen-year-old Marc Wilkinson with 49 not out and Mahmood Rahman's 34 not out then knocked the runs off in 8.5 overs.

At Marshfield 3rds visiting Devizes 4th XI did well to bowl them out for 161. Steve Underwood 5-39 and Owen Burgess 4-33.

For Marshfield Andy Wills (50), Eddy Brooks (24) and 14-year-old Scott Creed (23) headed the run getters. Geoff Hall then took 3-10 in 10 overs and Bobby Jenkins 2-12 in five as Devizes managed just 49 all out in reply.

At United Churches 2nd XI the home side made 156 all out against Chippenham 4th XI with Adam Rumbold (49) and Mike Hailsbury (44). For Chippenham Simon Goodman took 2-43 in 10 overs and Phil Triner 2-43 in 15.

Chris Sharpe replied with 4-14 and Paul Walker 3-6 to help bowl Chippenham out for 93.