MALMESBURY took advantage of last weekend’s wet weather to return to the summit of Wiltshire League Division One.

Malmesbury had been leapfrogged by Wootton Bassett last week but with every other fixture in the division rained off, they moved back to top spot courtesy of an eight-wicket win at Swindon Civil Service.

In a rain-reduced encounter, the hosts were dismissed for 105 early in the 29th over, with Malmesbury’s Josh Langley and Jack Ward both claiming three wickets apiece.

The visitors then cruised to 100-2 in little more than 17 overs to eke out a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

A week after finally notching up their first win of the season in Division Two, All Cannings made it two from two as they thrashed Bear Flat by nine wickets.

Chris Bence (52 not out), Gareth Millar (42) and Brendon Bester (41) all put runs on the board as Bath-based Bear Flat posted 191-4, but Cannings proved to be in fine form in reply and Steve Parker (84) and Andy Legg (43 not out) starred as the home side clinched victory by reaching 135-1 midway through the 21st over to achieve their revised target.

In the only game to survive in Division Three, Biddestone 3rds clinched a single-wicket triumph over high-flying Avebury.

Monish Bharwal hit an unbeaten 55 while Henry Fry made 37 as Avebury posted 188-7, before Biddestone were set a reduced target of 117 from 28 overs.

Despite Avebury’s Dominic Fry claiming 4-39, Philip Boore (33) and Rob Horn (31) helped the visitors reach 122-9 off the final ball.

Malmesbury 2nds are still waiting to put their first win on the board in Division Four after they slipped to a six-wicket reverse at the hands of Blunsdon – their seventh defeat of the campaign. Malmesbury posted 143-7 but Dave Bott’s knock of 52 helped saw the visitors reach 143-4 in the 40th over.

Elsewhere, Wootton Bassett 3rds went down by four wickets as they went toe-to-toe with Swindon B. Jag Chahal (54 not out), Ben Mattick (52), Stu Grant (49) and Jas Chahal (34 not out) all found their range as Bassett posted 246-7, despite Swindon’s Harry Chevis taking three wickets.

The home side’s Harry Griffin claimed 3-47 but Swindon’s Chevis proved even more deadly with the bat as he smacked 80 to help his side reach 247-6 early in the 43rd over.

Burbage & Easton Royal 3rds are just a point behind Lacock 2nds in Division Six after an eight-wicket success over Collingbourne 2nds.

Burbage’s Nick Cranston starred with five wickets for just 25 runs as Collingbourne were skittled for 114 in the final over before Haydn Amor hit an unbeaten 62 to guide the home side comfortably home to 115-2 in little over 20 overs.

Finally, Purton 3rds were the only side to pick up points in Division Seven after Chippenham 4ths forfeited their scheduled clash.