CLUB CRICKET: GLOUCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Roger Sillence starred on his league debut for Corsham on Saturday as the Wiltshire outfit made a flying start to the new season at Lansdown.

Sillence made a patient 59 and then took four wickets for 43 as the visitors clinched a comfortable 58-run victory in their first game in the West of England Premier One.

Corsham skipper Craig Gibbens won the toss and elected to bat first, but saw stand-in openers Neil Shardlow and Phil Jordan both dismissed for three as his side made a wretched start.

The double dismissal brought Sillence and Paul Marsh to the crease with the score on 13, but the duo added 85 runs before Cooper bowled the latter for 35.

Mark Coxon soon followed Marsh back to the pavilion when he sliced a full toss to mid-off as Lansdown pair Cooper and Selway tightened the hosts' grip on the match.

Jamie Holland joined Sillence and gradually increased the scoring rate before the Gloucestershire man went for 59, picking out the only fielder on the deep square leg boundary.

Holland continued to bat fluently, supported by Hadrill's 25 and ten runs from brother Matt, as he finished unbeaten on 17 with the Corsham score reading 218 for nine.

A lively opening burst from Sillence brought the wicket of Cooper, who edged the ball to wicketkeeper Shardlow for 23.

Gibbens picked up the wicket of fellow opener Hellings, before Sillence trapped Phillips lbw for nought. Marsh and Matt Holland then took over for the visitors and grabbed the vital wickets of Brain and Barnes as the home side slipped for 84 for four to 153 for eight.

Sillence and Gibbens then came back and the Lansdown lower order failed to hold on for a draw, with the hosts' all out for 160.