LECHLADE took a huge stride towards safety in their first season in Premier One with an 85-run win over Bridgwater.

Having won the toss, Freddie Martin opted to bat and were soon in trouble as Ryan Higgins went early.

However, Joe Breet and Brad Dial dug in against some solid bowling from the home side before a bowling change, with Chris Singleton coming in, saw Breet (21) caught behind but James Palmer survived until drinks with the score at 88-2.

Things quickly deteriorated after drinks as Singleton (3-19) removed Palmer and Martin and Tom Young was caught.

Meanwhile, Dial was not finding life easy but had made an accurate assessment of the pitch and had reached a half-century off 95 balls.

Max Mortimer joined Dial and played a very intelligent innings, pushing the single as Dial eventually launched the attack.

When Dial fell for a match-winning 95, the score had reached 177 and Mortimer (30 not out), with some inventive shots, managed to take the total to 201-8 after 50 overs.

In reply, Bridgwater realised they faced a challenge as Breet had Barratt caught at first slip in his second over, before claiming the prized wicket of England U19 player George Bartlett.

But then, a partnership of 54 between Merv Hallaran and Singleton put the hosts in the driving seat.

However, when Martin trapped his opposite number in front for 54, the game changed.

Tom Young ripped out the middle order with four wickets for two runs and left his skipper to mop up the tail.