MARC Williamson missed out on a second century in three weeks in agonising fashion on Saturday, but his efforts were more than enough to see Swindon back to winning ways in a six-wicket triumph over Apperley.

Swindon’s fine run of recent form hit the skids with defeat against Burbage & Easton Royal last week, but Andy Staff’s side were a cut above bottom side Apperley at the County Ground.

Having restricted the visitors to 215 on a good batting surface, opener Williamson led the Swindon reply with relish and dominated the innings before perishing for 97.

It was then left to Jon Sore (70*) to get the home side past the winning post, finishing on 216-4 with more than nine overs to spare.

Skipper Staff said: “It was a really good result. We know what happened last week but we had been playing well before that.

“Marc ripped them apart. It was a good track and they had a few bowlers with a bit of pace about them and that suits him down to the ground.

“Jon was the supporting part, he just held down one end while Marc did all the damage.

“He definitely deserved a century. He got 100 two weeks ago too so is definitely in good form.

“He went for one big shot and got caught on the boundary for 97. He was disappointed but he had more than done his job.”

Despite earlier losing the toss and being asked to bowl, Swindon were swiftly into their stride as Conor Cleary took two quick wickets, while a run-out left Apperley on 23-3.

The visitors then mounted a recovery but good perseverance from Cleary (3-27) and Will Nichols (3-46) kept them to a below-par total, as no batsman was able to post a half-century.

Staff added: “They won the toss and decided to bat as it was a nice day.

“We would have preferred to have batted first too but we got off to a good start and Conor got a couple of wickets.

“The wicket then got better as it warmed up but the bowlers stuck to their task really well and kept plugging away.

“It was a batting day so we knew we weren’t going to get them for 100 all out and we were pretty pleased to restrict them to 215, as at our place 250 is about par.

“That was probably below-par so we thought it was chaseable and thankfully we did that pretty well.”