ROYAL Wootton Bassett’s title bid rumbles on after they racked up a third win on the spin to remain in control of Division One.

Darren Beasant’s men stretched their lead at the top to 21 points on Saturday courtesy of a comfortable 160-run success at Lacock.

After being put in to bat first, Beasant led the way for his team with an excellent knock of 80, whilst Jack Twine’s 74 and Jack Paish’s 70 off 31 balls inspired Bassett to 312-6.

Adam Mitchell top-scored for Lacock with just 31 as Bassett’s Askah Sharma (5-19) filled his boots, with the hosts dismissed for 152 late in the 34th over.

Division Two

SWINDON United Churches fell to a five-wicket defeat to Bradford on Avon.

Captain Richard Martin lost the toss and Churches were asked to bat first at Sevenhampton, and after Duncan Mead (17) and Matt Runkel (32) had got the hosts off to a solid start, the introduction of Bradford on Avon’s Paul Vooght (4-27) to the bowling attack pegged the home side back.

Daniel Hunt (41) and Liam Brooks (10) steadied the ship with a partnership of 36 before opening bowler Kit Chapman helped to slow the home side’s scoring rate as they posted a final total of 172-8.

The successful Bradford run-chase was built upon steady innings from their top-order batsmen, with Ian Pinchin (30) and Mo Beale (24) finding their range before number three Vooght anchored the rest of the chase with 57 from 75 balls.

A three-wicket flurry from Churches’ Hunt, which saw Vooght dismissed, briefly threatened Bradford but the visitors reached 176-5 late in the 42nd over.

Churches were also in action on Sunday but were soundly beaten by 143 runs away at Avebury, who ascended to the top of the Division Two table.

The hosts’ Dominic Fry (67) and John Rheinberg (56) punished Churches’ wayward bowling to romp to 144-1 and despite wicketkeeper Martin Garstang taking four catches, Avebury posted 219-7.

Churches didn’t fare much better with the bat, with Matt Shadwick and Liam Brooks’ partnership of 38 as good as it got for Martin’s men, who suffered a heavy batting collapse.

Rama Adi (3-0) was chief destroyer as Avebury dismissed Churches for just 76 runs in little more than 27 overs.

A day earlier, new league leaders Avebury also claimed victory at Biddestone 2nd.

Batting first, they reached 268-6 thanks to the prowess of Andy Schofield (95), Fry (57) and Greg Dix (45) and although Michael Comport made a battling 85 in reply for the hosts, they were bowled out for 222 early in the 39th over as Avebury took the win.