SWINDON need not worry about bonus points in their clash with Marlborough this weekend, as victory will now be good enough to see them crowned champions of the WEPL Wiltshire Division following a comprehensive defeat of Great Bedwyn on Saturday.

The County Ground outfit’s 146-run success means Swindon now have a nine-point lead on Burbage & Easton Royal going into the final set of fixtures this weekend.

Burbage, therefore, will not be able to overtake their rivals providing Swindon see off third-placed Marlborough.

Bowler Dan Harris said: “The objective hasn’t changed, it’s still about winning all our remaining games. We know we’ve got a bit of a buffer now but we’ve still got to go out and win the game.

“We hadn’t got ourselves caught up thinking about bonus points, it’s not worth it, but it just arrived. Declaring seemed to be the sensible thing to do and we’ve made the most of the opportunity.”

Marc Williamson’s 60 from 50 balls led the way for Swindon, while Paul Paginton hit 40 and Andy Staff 39 not out in a total of 272-7 declared from a little under 45 overs.

In reply, Jake Goodwin destroyed the Bedwyn top order in taking 4-18 from six overs, as the visitors stumbled to 49-6 before a seventh-wicket stand of 61 between Ashley Perry and Daniel Swatton gave the away side some respectability.

However, Bedwyn were skittled out for 126 inside 34 overs to leave Swindon within reach of an instant return to the Glos/Wilts Division.

“Jake bowled really well,” said Harris, who took 2-14. “He’s not been able to take the ball for most of the season with his injury but now he seems to have more control. I’ve got the best view in the house at mid-on when he’s tearing a team to pieces.

“Scott and Dave Miles have taken lots of wickets between them this season and it’s good to see that when they don’t manage any the rest of us still can chip in.

“It was a good win and it sets us up nicely for next week. Hopefully we can get the win and be champions of the division.

“It was how it’s been for much of the season, really. The batsmen have been getting big runs and some of the players down the order at six or seven, like Tucks, haven’t been because the chances to bat haven’t been there.

“Funky got us off to a great start and he was hitting the ball really cleanly, just like he was at Devizes when we got called off a few weeks ago. He looks in great form.”