LECHLADE saw their early promise disappear in a hail of wickets as they succumbed to a 124-run defeat at the hands of reigning league champions Bath on Saturday.

The visitors arrived with a depleted squad but, after Bath had won the toss and batted, Liam Smith and Chris Harwood both tested the openers, Smith uprooting James Campbell’s off-stump in the fifth over.

Greg Hay joined Tim Rouse and the two set about building a match-winning partnership of 147, although Lechlade were making them work for it, the hosts having just topped the 100 mark by the first drinks break.

With 15 overs left, Bath had reached 160-1, but Harwood returned to remove Hay for 55 and caught Thomas Hankins off the bowling of Young shortly afterwards.

Somerset player Rouse was eventually bowled by Harwood (3-46) for 113, while Smith (2-37) returned to have Paul Muchall caught for 32 and Lechlade were rewarded for their persistence with some cheap wickets as Bath finished on 250-7.

However, their hopes of a surprise victory were soon dashed as Muchall (4-15) quickly removed Tom Young and Benny Ellis and when Harry Hankins had Freddie Martin trapped leg before, the game was gone.

At 44-6, Harwood joined Brad Dial and they set about trying to salvage a batting point.

Harwood (29) hit a couple of sixes and Dial (47 not out) looked in little trouble but, when Harwood was bowled by David Ford, Muchall returned to the attack to wrap up the innings as Lechlade finished on 126 all out.