TOM Bowler was in inspired form with both bat and ball as he led Purton to their first win of the season.

After a difficult start to life in the Wiltshire Division, the spinning all-rounder picked up 6-25 as Purton skittled Calne for just 103.

Bowler, coming in at number three, then led his side home with an unbeaten 43 for an eight-wicket success.

Having lost the toss and been asked to field, Purton quickly set about their task as Tom Fullalove removed both Calne openers with just 21 on the scoreboard.

Indian under 19s international Akarshit Gomel then dismissed Sean Adams to leave the visitors 48-3.

But then Tom Bowler, who had taken two catches to help remove the top three, took over to skittle through the middle and lower order.

Needing just 104 for victory, Purton’s reply got off to a shaking start as Gomel fell to Tom Brewer for just seven.

Bowler and opener Deepak Ramani (30) then put the hosts in a strong position before the latter fell to leave the hosts 63-2.

However, Bowler, along with skipper Elliot Hill guided Purton home in just 19.2 overs.

“Tom was exceptional,” Hill said. “He sometimes gets overlooked a bit when we have Akki in the side.

“He is a great option to have and to pick up 6-25 was great - but I think he’ll be the first to say that he probably could have bowled better.”

The Purton captain was surprised that Calne had opted to bat first after saying that he was always going to bowl first had he won the toss.

“I made my mind up on Wednesday that if I’d won the toss we were going to bowl, so when they said they were going to bat I was shocked,” Hill said.

“We made a good start with the new ball, Tom Fullalove was a lot more fuller with his deliveries and picked up a couple of wickets.”

With their first win on the board, Hill knows that will count for nothing if they do not follow that up at the weekend.

“Last season we were great at putting together some consistent runs,” Hill said. “So it is important that we build on this win when we play Nationwide House this weekend.”