LEADERS Royal Wootton Bassett bounced back from their surprise defeat to Box seven days previously to wrap up a five-wicket triumph over struggling Beanacre & Melksham on Saturday.

Bassett maintained their lead over second-placed Urchfont, who also won, as Asanka Vithanage (4-29) and Akash Sharma (4-10) ripped through the visitors’ batting, which ended at 88 all out off 36.5 overs.

The hosts knocked off the required runs inside 25 overs.

Lacock’s title hopes took a hit as they were defeated by 18 runs by visitors Nationwide House.

Nick Clarke’s unbeaten 106 - he eventually retired injured - got the Swindon side to 213-7 from their 45 overs, Jamie Walker taking 3-36 for the home side.

Joe Perkins took 3-44 in the reply, which was led by Miles Copland’s 38, and fell short on 195 all out in the final over.

Division 2

AVEBURY’S pursuit of leaders Bear Flat suffered a hammer blow as they were stunned by visiting Swindon Nalgo.

Things looked good for the home side when they dismissed their rivals for just 143, Wes Hartslief taking 5-28 as Mudassar Rafiq hit 71 and Imran Dastagir 34 for Nalgo.

However, the tables were turned as Avebury’s pursuit of the target was halted on 193, despite Henry Fry’s 38 and 28 for Dominic Fry.

Sarfraz Khan (3-25) and Prashant Joshi (3-38) did the damage for Nalgo.

Swindon United Churches remain fourth after a 31-run victory over bottom side Keevil.

Asked to bat first on a sticky pitch, Churches were given an early scare by the spirited Keevil bowlers and were struggling at 47-4.

Liam Brooks (78 off 81 balls) and hard-hitting Dean Tomlin (60 off 44) swung the momentum of the innings with a stand worth 153 to see them to 232-9.

Josh Hamblin (3-39) led the Keevil attack and captain Andy Hallett opened the reply with a measured 69 from 92 balls.

The Churches bowlers had to be patient, Richard Martin (3-29) and Dean Tomlin (2-37) the standout performers with the ball, as Keevil ended on 201-9 despite a last-wicket partnership of 30 between Hamblin (17*) and Simon Emmett (8*).

Wroughton Wranglers romped to a seven-wicket success over Heytesbury & Sutton Veny, who were dismissed for 67 as Phil Woodcock took 5-10. Craig Taylor’s unbeaten 30 guided Wroughton home inside 21 overs.

Division 3

WOOTTON Bassett 2nd closed the gap at the top with a 48-run success against Ramsbury, scoring 220-8 in their 45 overs, led by Charanveer Chahal’s 106 and 50 from Mark Vincent.

Iain Bourne took 4-65 for Ramsbury but despite Dave Smith’s 44, their reply ended on 172-9 as Paul Huckin took 5-43.

Wanborough sauntered past Corsham 3rd, who made 173-6 in their 45 overs, Ben Da Costa scoring 76 and Liam Stacey taking 4-50.

There were few problems in the reply as unbeaten knocks of 61 and 42 from Nick Stacey and Mike Pethick respectively, as well as 50 from Ian McMurray, got Wanborough home inside 39 overs.

Division 4

WHITE Horse saw their lead at the top cut to 24 points as they lost by 43 runs at home to Goatacre 3rd.

With Lambourn losing by six wickets at Buscot Park, the Goats took full advantage to climb into second place.

The visitors were restricted to 138-8, with Tom Ponting leading the way with 64.

Then it was left to the bowlers as Horse were dismissed for 95 as Dan Smart (4-17) and Luke Stoneham (3-13) did the damage.

Swindon B hit the deck as they lost their bottom of the table clash with Beanacre & Melksham 2nd.

Beanacre’s Chris Long ripped through the County Ground’s batsmen as he claimed figures of 6-13 from just 26 balls, with visitors dismissed for 95.

But the hosts, who began the day at the foot of the table, were made to sweat for their one-wicket win as John Harris picked up seven wickets as Beanacre reached their target in the 21st over.

Division 7

HIGHWORTH look in good shape for promotion as they beat Devizes 3rd by 103 runs.

Having scored 245-6 from their 45 overs with the help of contributions from Luke Roche (76*), Gavin Blundell (66*) and Mason Thompson (36), Devizes were then dismissed for 142.