SWINDON centurion Jon Sore admits the County Ground men were left surprised when they were put into bat at Malmesbury at the weekend.

The visitors, who were without skipper Andy Staff, lost the toss at Malmesbury on what appeared to be at first glance be quite a flat track.

And when the hosts invited Sore and his teammates the opportunity bat first it was an offer they gladly accepted en route to a 234-run win.

Swindon, despite the loss of Sean Parker in the second over, went on to amass 378-8 from their 50 overs with Sore leading the charge with 107.

The County Ground side also saw Dean Williamson (57), stand-in skipper Marc Williamson (68) and a blistering 43-ball 85 from Alex Kill take the game away from the WEPL Wiltshire strugglers.

“We were very surprised when they asked to bat – I don’t really know what their thought process was,” Sore said.

“The pitch was a good for batting, it was quite flat and the outfield was quick – I really enjoyed myself because it was one of the best pitches we have played on this year.”

Despite Swindon finding batting conditions to their liking, Sore, who picked up the gloves in the absence of Staff, said that they capitalised on the Malmesbury mistakes when they came to defending their mammoth total.

Using six bowlers, who all picked up at least one wicket, Swindon dismissed their hosts in the 38th over for 144 with extras being Malmesbury’s top-scorer with 41 with 29 of those coming from wides and no-balls.

“When go at nearly eight-an-over it is always going to be difficult for the other side chasing, to be honest anything more than a run-a-ball you are going to be on the backfoot,” Sore said.

“We were also clinical in the field. Malmesbury put down a few chances, but we were very good.

“Being behind the stumps, I’m the wicketkeeper for our Twenty20 games, you do get a different perspective and the bowlers got the ball swinging.”