MARLBOROUGH made a fine start to life in the Gloucester and Wiltshire league with a 50-run victory in a low-scoring game against Redmarley at Savernake on Saturday 4 May.

The Wiltshire League champions batted first but struggled against some tight Redmarley bowling, with several players making starts and failing to go on to big scores.

Although Matt Kimble exploded out of the blocks, hitting six fours in a run-a-ball 37, he threw away his wicket to leave the home side struggling at 59 for three.

Pete Day and Paul Clarke then added a sensible 46 with scores of 27 and 28 respectively, but the hosts collapsed when Parsons had them both caught and could only close on a below-par 157 for eight.

They were tied down in particular by visiting bowler Allen, who finished with two for nine in eight overs.

Redmarley's reply was equally lacklustre. Hughes, the visitors' only batsman to pass 20, helped them to 70 for 2, but then George Fox struck and shortly after Hughes was needlessly run out for 45.

Ben Head, bowling his usual impeccable line, grabbed two wickets to finish with three for 17, while Matt Kimble returned to finish the innings.

He and off-spinners Fox and Head took three wickets each and Redmarley were all out 107, having lost their last eight wickets for just 37 runs in 12 overs.