PURTON fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of Winsley as both sides failed to score high on a good wicket.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, a 65-run stand for the third wicket between Tom Bowler (32) and Sam Pinchin (21) was unable to prevent the hosts slumping to 125 all out.

Despite the low target it was not an easy one for Winsley to chase down but with one wicket and six overs in hand, Kevin Handy (17) and Keegan Smart (9) saw them over the line.

“It was pretty frustrating,” said captain Aaron Lee. “It was a good wicket and I think both teams wanted to bat first but we won the toss and I put the lads into bat confident of a 250-par score.

“We got to 70-2, which is a reasonable position and then just gave it away - 125 all out is a pretty dreadful display to be honest.”

Despite the poor batting display, Lee took comfort from a better day with the ball.

Adam Woolford was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up four wickets for just 24 runs, and he was assisted by Bowler, who chipped in with 3-23.

“It was a really close game in the end really, the lads bowled really well so I can’t complain at all,” added Lee. “The first half we were very disappointed but the second half we were pretty pleased with how it went.

“At the end of the day we are not going to dig ourselves out of holes like that too often so we really need to concentrate on out batting.”

Elsewhere in the division Marlborough secured a convincing 139-run win at home to fellow title hopefuls Marshfield.

Tom Palmer got the hosts off to the perfect start as his 84 set a solid foundation as they scored 222-7, before Bradley Frost (4-22) helped his side skittle out Marshfield for 83 in just 27 overs.

Malmesbury, however, suffered a defeat to Trowbridge as they were all out for only 90 runs before the visitors reached the total in just 14 overs with six wickets in hand.