SWINDON'S Glos/Wilts Division One campaign got off to a disappointing start with a nine-run defeat against Apperley in a tense encounter at the County Ground.

After winning the toss, the Gloucestershire side elected to bat and began well against the bowling of Pete Stinchcombe and Daniel Connolly.

The visiting openers added 44 inside the first 10 overs, before Connolly trapped MacPherson leg before for 24.

Swindon introduced Jon Sumner and captain Will Nichols, to keep the rate at a healthy four runs an over. Apperley's Rob Leeke continued to remain the rock of the innings, adding partnerships of 37 and 32 with Dawkins and Stu MacPherson, both bowled by Nichols.

To their credit, Swindon battled back well and once Leeke was dismissed by Stinchcombe for 59 with the score on 165, the visitors folded like a pack of cards.

Stinchcombe and Sumner ripped through the tail, and the visitors were eventually all out off the last ball of the innings for a modest 189.

Swindon's weakness last season was their batting, and it was the same old story as the hosts began disastrously in pursuit of the target. Chris Rogers, Paul Baden and Gavin Woodward were all dismissed within the first five overs, as Swindon slumped to 9-3.

John Baden and Matt Baker began to repair some of the damage, but were unable to take too many risks following such a poor start. The pair were quickly removed within a few overs of each other as Swindon looked to be down and out at 60-5.

With nearly six runs an over required for victory, skipper Nichols, batting unusually low at six, began to take the game to Apperley.

Following the loss of Razzaq for seven, Nichols found the perfect partner in Roger Willoughby, and over the next 10 overs the pair had turned the game on its head, taking the score to 160 with six overs remaining.

With Swindon now the favourites, cool heads were needed to see them home, but two unnecessary run outs ultimately decided the contest.

First Willoughby was stranded following a fine knock of 27 and Aussie Connolly was then caught short following a mix-up with Nichols.

Despite a fantastic effort of 69 not out, the captain could only watch as Stinchcombe and Sumner were bowled in the fading light, and Swindon were dismissed for 180.

The other three Swindon teams completed comfortable victories in their respective leagues. The seconds, chasing 154, beat Apperley by five wickets.

In the Wiltshire League Division Three, Phil Laggett's third team dismissed Spye Park for 94. The runs were knocked off for the loss of four wickets, with Paul Rignall unbeaten on 46.

In Division Eight, Swindon 4ths, chasing 174, won by five wickets. Kevin Thompson and Neil Williamson notched half-centuries.