Final day dismay (From Swindon Advertiser)

Final day dismay

9:00am Tuesday 6th September 2011 in Cricket By Gary Rose

NOT even an impressive performance by birthday boy Sam Lawro was able to prevent Wootton Bassett from slipping to defeat in their final game of the season against Devizes.

With Bassett guaranteed of turning out in the Wiltshire Division again next season, the game had something of a carnival atmosphere as far as the visitors were concerned.

Bassett were without at least three of their regulars and initially their absence told, with Devizes on the front foot from the start.

The visitors got better as the game wore on, particularly when Lawro was handed the ball.

Bassett’s regular wicketkeeper went on to take six wickets, but Devizes were already well ahead by then and were eventually bowled out for 242. Tom Grant top scored for Devizes with 63 runs while James Langan finished with 59.

Bassett’s innings did not get off to the best of starts as they lost two wickets early on, but they battled on – with Lawro hitting 68 runs – before they were all out for 179, sealing a 63-run victory for Devizes.

After a season to forget in the Glos/Wilts Division, Bassett will no doubt be happy with third place on their return to the Wiltshire Division, particularly with the club having had to blood a number of youngsters during the course of the campaign.

“I think we have had a good season, especially considering where we were at this time last year when we were relegated. We were not prepared to compete at that level,” Bassett skipper Jag Chahal.

“We were punching above our weight then but this year was a clean slate.

“We wanted to blood as many youngsters as possible and looking at things that way then I can’t ask for any more.

“For the club to finish third with that in mind it has been a very successful season for the whole club.

“It was not just successful on the field but also off it because we have got new nets, new covers and a new ground in place 2014. Everything is building up towards that.”

Elsewhere in the Wiltshire Division, Lechlade wrapped up second place with a nine-run victory over Spye Park while champions Winsley eased to a dominant 184-run win over Calne.