Swindon struggling in fight for survival (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon struggling in fight for survival

6:00am Wednesday 15th August 2012 in Cricket By Andy Warren

SWINDON skipper Paul Paginton admitted his team now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation after slipping into the Glos/Wilts drop zone following their defeat to Chipping Sodbury.

A third-wicket partnership of nearly 100 between Lee Walters and Richard Howell saw the home side set a total of 220 from their 50 overs, with Swindon falling 42 runs short in their reply.

Paginton was left to bemoan his top order’s inability to go on and make a big score, and believes it could ultimately cost them their place in the league.

“One of the their batsmen scored more than 70-odd, and it really came down to that in the end,” he said.

“That has been the story of our season really, with none of our top five or six going on to make a big score after getting a start.

“It is important someone does that now because we are going to have to do things the hard way now if we are going to stay up.

“There were some positives to take from the game because our fielding was pretty good, and at one stage they looked as if they were going to go on and get 270 or 280, so we did well to restrict them.”

In the Wiltshire Division, Lechlade got back to winning ways with an impressive 106-run victory over Nationwide House.

Captain Paul Godding led the way as he opened the innings and went on to score 76 not out as his team finished on 186-9, and then took two wickets as the home side were skittled out for only 80.

The victory was even more sweet because league leaders Great Bedwyn suffered a shock defeat against Marlborough, and Godding was left delighted as his side cut the lead at the top of the table to only seven points with the two sides still due to meet before the end of the season.

“It was a good win today and the Great Bedwyn result puts us back in control,” he said.

“If we win our last three games it would now take something very special from Burbage or Marshfield to stop us winning the title.

“We just have to focus on our own games and make sure we don’t make any silly mistakes.”

Marlborough’s win came thanks to a superb performance from John Carroll, who took 5-42 before smashing 107 to win the game for his side.

Elsewhere in the division, Wootton Bassett fell agonisingly short as they lost to Marshfield by only one run.

Russell Lodge hit 82 as the visitors carded 213 from their 50 overs, but Bassett looked set to overhaul them as Jack Dymoke raced to 50 and Jagdip Jahal made 46.

But the latter lost his wicket late on, and Bassett fell agonisingly short.

In the Minor Counties Western Division, Wiltshire begin their final game of the season against Oxfordshire on Sunday with a five point advantage over Cornwall.

A win with four bonus points guaranteeing a first ever Western Division title and a play-off against the Eastern Division winners for the Championship title.

Goatacre’s Ed Kilbee has been named in the squad.