LECHLADE produced their most disappointing performance of the season as their run chase came up agonisingly short at home to Premier Two strugglers Chard.

A game that Joe Breet’s men should have won comfortably was thrown away with some naive and irresponsible batting from the middle and lower order as they were beaten by seven runs at the Manor Ground.

The game had begun well for the hosts, with Kam Shah taking a running catch over his shoulder in the deep as Breet dismissed both Chard openers.

Brad Dial then had Tom Wright caught in the deep by Charles Offord as Chard slumped to 36-3.

Harvey Dening (21) stayed with Reid Mawdsley to take the score to 90 but Ryan Higgins took two quick wickets and James Palmer added a third to leave Chard on 113-6.

However, Lechlade could not press home their advantage and the lower order helped Mawdsley take the total to 211 by the close of the innings, as he was unfortunately left stranded on 98*.

At 63-2 in their reply, Lechlade looked in control but the introduction of spinner Tom Wright (3-20) into the attack accounted for Dial (16), Benny Ellis (0) and Higgins (27).

Nevertheless, skipper Breet was now well set and, requiring less than five an over, all that was needed was for the experienced lower order to support their skipper.

Breet was scoring off most balls but was being starved of the strike, with the other Lechlade batsmen seemingly more intent on glory than on rotating.

Jonathan Scott came into the attack and the hosts were determined to help him out by playing across the line and hitting the ball in the air.

Breet (82) was put under increasing pressure by this and, although only eight were needed off the last over, he was bowled by Scott (5-19) to wrap up the game.