CHIPPENHAM CRICKET: CHIPPENHAM continued their winning start to life in the West of England Premier Two with a nervy three-wicket victory over Taunton at Hardenhuish on Saturday.

Spinners Richard Bates and Jason Searle claimed seven wickets between them as Taunton were dismissed for 131 after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The home side made an early breakthrough when former Swindon wicketkeeper Luke Leach caught opener Bennett off the bowling of Craig Fry with the Taunton score on nine.

Deacon and Wheatley then shared a 64-run stand for the second wicket, but were separated when the latter was run out by Australian Jace Lawson.

Leach, who had dropped Wheatley when the batsman was on 11, atoned for his error by making the first of three stumpings off the bowling of Searle to dismiss the visitors' top scorer for 39.

Berry became Richard Bates' first victim for 19, and sparked a collapse in the process as Taunton surrendered their final six wickets for just 25 runs. Bates finished with four for 26, while Searle took three for 28.

Paul Bates and fellow opener Mark Hunt shared a half-century stand for the first wicket in reply, with both going on to make 32 runs.

Bates was the first to go, trapped lbw by off spinner Keates, before skipper Ian Merryweather went in similar fashion for nought following a delivery from Hart.

Hart then claimed the crucial wicket of Hunt, before Richard Bates followed his team mate back to the pavilion after making 11.

Olly Goodway and Lawson took the hosts to within sight of victory with scores of 14 and 24. Off spinner Hart took the wickets of both batsmen on his way to a five-wicket haul, but could not prevent a Chippenham victory as Searle and Nick Pocock saw the hosts past their target with three wickets to spare.

Chippenham play host to Midsomer Norton on Saturday and take on local rivals Wootton Bassett on Sunday.