PURTON maintained their impressive start to the season as they bounced straight back to winning ways with a comfortable win on the road at Great Bedwyn last weekend.

Seven days after being beaten by Marlborough, Purton were back in east Wiltshire once again on Saturday but this time they ran out 88-run winners.

Despite skipper Aaron Lee missing the game, after being put in to bat first, Purton responded by soaring past the 300-run mark before exerting enough pressure with the ball to skittle Bedwyn with just over six overs to spare.

“It was a very good performance. We were really good with the bat and even though we weren’t as good with the ball, we still did enough to win the game,” said vice captain Tom Bowler.

“That was the best score that we’ve got so far with the bat this season, so that was good to see.

“We didn’t have Aaron but we’ve been keeping pretty much the same side in games so far this season and I think that’s helped us – it’s not like last year, where we struggled to get the same side out.

“We’re enjoying ourselves at the moment but we’re not getting carried away by anything.”

Xander Pitchers led the Purton charge with a knock of 65 from 58 deliveries, whilst fellow opener Sam Shelford struck 88 from 114 balls.

Bedwyn’s Max Andrews took 3-48 but Tom Whittaker also added 52 as the visitors posted a hearty 307-6.

In reply, the home side’s John Palmer (48), Casey Grocke (39) and Andrews (34) all did their best to mount a fightback but Namibian Pitchers was influential again as he claimed 4-31.

Patrick Whittaker took 3-44 to turn the screw on Bedwyn, who were dismissed for 219 in the 44th over.