Nationwide shock league leaders (From Swindon Advertiser)

Nationwide shock league leaders

9:40am Wednesday 8th July 2009

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STRUGGLING Nationwide House took a shock six-wicket victory at home to table-toppers Marlborough, to bag their second Wiltshire Division win of the season.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Marlborough made a solid start and put on 69 for the first wicket.

None of the top four were able to make a half-century, and some excellent bowling by captain Joe Perkins (6-45) and Mark Flay (1-25) restricted the visitors to 175-8 from their 45 overs.

Nationwide’s reply started badly as Nick Clarke was out in the first over, but that brought Gareth Davies to the wicket and his innings proved decisive.

Davies made a terrific 78 not out and was ably assisted by Jon Clarke (32), Mick Harris (23) and Mark Flay (28 not out).

Nationwide reached the target in the 41st over for the loss of four wickets.

Bowler Steve Lewis said: “It was an excellent all-round performance in the field from the whole team, as I think Marlborough would have hoped for at least 30 runs more than they got.

“Joe’s (Perkins) slow medium pace bowling masterclass in particular needs special mention, as does the gutsy batting display by Gareth Davies and Mark Flay to bring it home at the end, backed up by some good earlier knocks by Jon and Mick.

“Hopefully we can take this performance through to next week’s encounter away against Westinghouse, which is a must-win fixture.”

Elsewhere in the division, Malmesbury lost by 179 runs at Potterne, Purton defeated Calne by 96 runs and Goatacre lost at Winsley by 89 runs.

• A CATASTROPHIC collapse saw Nationwide House 2nds defeated by eight wickets at Marlborough.

When Chris Sharp was dismissed for a well-constructed 38, Nationwide slumped from 94-4 to 103 all out.

In reply, Marlborough survived a terrific opening spell from Trewhella and Rich Arkley.

Despite using nine bowlers in an effort to find wickets, Nationwide could not stop Marlborough cruising to the total in 34 overs.

• SWINDON NALGO lost by six wickets against Grosvenor in the Premier Division of the Berkshire League.

Nalgo were put into bat and made a respectable 224-8 off their 45 overs, with Shoayb Rahman top scoring with 44.

In reply, Grosvenor were always ahead of the run rate and cruised to the total with 10 overs to spare.

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