Cricket: Bemused Chippenham captain Steve Silk was grateful for his bowlers after a low-scoring victory on Saturday but said his batsmen were only slightly less incompetent than their visitors.

Having won the toss the home side decided to bowl but the skipper said that was not a reflection on the wicket and he expected a run-fest.

However after Warminster subsided to a poor 93 all out, Chippenham looked on course for an upset loss until the lower order spared their blushes.

“The pitch was spot-on,” insisted Silk. “It was more down to less than competent batting on both sides.

“Our strength as a side though is putting sides in and trying to put pressure on from ball one.

“Lee Ward bowled a very good opening spell after coming up from the seconds for his first game of the season.

“When you consider we have guys like Paul Clifford, who normally opens our bowling, Ryan Higgins and Robert Woodman not playing then we have about eight or nine bowlers all playing for their places every week.

“I think that is why we are doing so well.”

Ward was instrumental in the early fall of wickets, taking three as Warminster were reduced to 26-5 including a duck for former Chippenham batsman Sean Adams.

Richard Hall (23) and Gary Slade (27) put on a 34-run partnership but the home side were expected to knock off the total with ease.

This was not the case however and Chippenham were reduced to 11-4 and seemed on course for a dramatic defeat.

But Warminster then contributed to their own downfall by dropping both Clifton Folkes (26) and Philip Adams (18 not out) when each man was on zero before the latter saw his side home to a nail-biting win with two wickets to spare.

“I was extremely concerned at one stage,” said Silk. “I was thinking what on earth is going on here?

“There were a couple of strange dismissals but Tim Rowson spent time at the crease and Philip batted a very nice, controlled innings.

“I always felt we were winning the game really.”

Chippenham visit Taunton on Saturday.