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CRICKET: Asanka spins to win on debut
SWINDON enjoyed mixed fortunes at the weekend, beating rivals Marshfield in their Glos/Wilts opener before losing to Chippenham in a rain-affected Cockspur Cup clash, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.
Swindon's total of 199 all out was the highest of the day in Glos/Wilts, and it proved more than enough to tame hosts Marshfield on an uncovered wicket at Broadleys.
Bruce Martin was the mainstay of the Swindon innings, his carefully constructed 43 taking the visitors towards a match-winning total.
Skipper Darren Beasant (32), John Baden (28) and wicketkeeper Andrew Staff (27) also made useful contributions, while James Williams took 4-45 for Marshfield.
Paceman Irfan Wazir Khan snared two early wickets as the hosts' reply stuttered.
Opener Russell Lodge led a brief fightback with a defiant half century, before he was finally removed by the ever-tidy Martin (3-20).
That set the stage for Sri Lankan Asanka Vithanage to make his debut, and he certainly didn't disappoint.
The slow bowler returned figures of 4-16 off 13 overs to help dismiss Marshfield for just 120, impressing his captain in the process.
Said Beasant: "Asanka caused them lots of problems and he bowled very tidily.
"We also dropped two catches off his bowling and Andy Staff missed a stumping, so he could have had seven.
"It was a good debut for Asanka and I was glad to beat Marshfield after they hammered us a couple of times last year.
"A major plus for me was the fielding. We have struggled in that department but on Saturday I thought we were quite sharp in the field."
Beasant's smile turned to a frown on Sunday afternoon as Swindon lost by six runs to Glos/Wilts rivals Chippenham in the Cockspur Cup.
The 45-over competition was reduced to 20 overs because of heavy rain, but not without some confusion first, as Beasant explained.
"The match was going to be called off, but we thought the tie had to be completed on the day, so we decided we would have a bowl off," he said.
"We were in the process of that bowl off when the umpires decided the ground was fit to play after all.
"So we ended up playing a 20-over match instead, which Chippenham won. It was a bit of a shambles to be honest."
Batting first, Chippenham totalled 111, with Hampshire Academy star James Vince top scoring with 44.
Vince then took 3-21 with the ball as Swindon could only muster 105 in reply, John Baden's 21 the highlight.
"The Cockspur Cup is something we haven't entered for a couple of years, so I thought it would be an opportunity to play some competitive early season cricket," said Beasant afterwards.
"I don't think this result means anything in the context of the league though. If it had been a 45-over game it would have been a good sparring session, but it wasn't to be."
n Swindon 2nds beat Marshfield by 133 runs in Glos/Wilts. Adam Tribbick scored 92 as Swindon totalled 255-5, and Allen Payne took 5-30 as Marshfield were bowled out for 133.
8:54am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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