ROYAL Wootton Bassett captain Darren Beasant believes the threat of relegation from WEPL Wiltshire remains a real possibility despite his side racking up their fifth win of the season against Devizes.

A 119-run partnership between Akash Sharma (57) and Tatenda Chiradza (77) helped the hosts recover from 45-5 to set up a defendable first-innings total of 247-7.

And despite a credible 62 from Devizes captain Thomas Grant, the visitors were all out for 213 as David West took 4-35.

Bassett’s 34-run victory moved them on to 130 points from 13 games, and after a seven-game winless start to the season, Beasant admitted he has been ‘amazed’ by his side’s turnaround in form.

He said: “It’s a pretty amazing turnaround and we couldn’t be more pleased with our form and the cricket we’re playing.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily eased our relegation fears because there is always that element of the unknown in terms of how many teams go down.

“And there are lots of sides around us winning now, so I think we’ve still got a bit of work to do.”

Beasant hailed a man-of-the-match performance from all-rounder Chiradza as his side recovered from a precarious position to topple a Devizes team who were chasing leaders Marshfield.

Former Zimbabwe U19 international Chiradza struck 11 boundaries during his 77 at the weekend, and Beasant felt a century would have been just reward for a special innings.

Beasant said: “His knock on Saturday was magnificent. It was tough conditions early on, we were in real trouble at 45-5, but him and Akash batted terrifically.

“Tatenda, in particular, looked like he was batting on a different wicket to everybody else.

“I think he deserved 100, he did everything you need to do from 45-5.”

Elsewhere, Swindon romped to a 172-run victory at home to Calne.

Batting first, a half-century from Chris Aubrey (57) saw Swindon glide towards 247-6.

Bowler Cam Baden then proceeded to take 5-14 as Calne were bowled out for 75.

Alex Adlam (4-21) and Rory Cullinan (3-16) helped Warminster record a crushing nine-wicket win over Purton.

Warminster’s two opening bowlers helped skittle the home side for 65 before Mark Coxon Tenty (37no) and Tom Pitman (19) did the majority of the work to see their team home.

A strong bowling performance from Marshfield helped them to a victory by seven wickets away to Hinton Charterhouse.

Hinton were bowled out for just 161 before openers Jeremy Bond (63) and Patrick Grieshaber (48) knocked off the majority of the runs prior to being dismissed.

Potterne 2nd won a close contest away at Westbury by three wickets.

Graham Hudson’s 96 pushed the home side up to 241-8 before Gedeon Charles (75no) pushed his team over the line with 10 balls to spare.