Craig Gibbens is braced for an exciting run-in to the Wiltshire Division title race after watching his side take revenge for their only defeat this season.

Goatacre leapfrogged their second-placed west Wiltshire rivals with the 55-run triumph and, with Winsley playing leaders Lechlade next week and Gibbens’ men still to go to the table-toppers, the villagers are right in the thick of the battle.

The captain said: “This next month is really important, but I’m really pleased with how the team is playing.

“It’s nice to be competing for a prize and we’ve given ourselves a chance.’’ Gibbens and Brad Dawson added a crucial 30 runs late on to take their side to a competitive total and Matt House and Kevin Iles took three wickets apiece to restrict Winsley.

Gibbens admitted: “Your emotions can change so quickly. We dropped two catches when I was bowling with them on 21-1, but in the next over, Matt came on and got the same two batsmen out.’’ Hampshire’s Liam Dawson also grabbed two wickets.

MALMESBURY were all out for 85 as they slumped to a 126-run defeat to struggling Purton.