SWINDON moved within three points of second place in the WEPL Wiltshire table on Saturday following a five-wicket success away at Devizes.

Marc Williamson’s side had trailed their weekend rivals by 18 points heading into the fixture but a seventh win from 10 games this summer saw that gap reduced.

A brilliant bowling display set up Swindon’s victory, with the performance all the more impressive considering Devizes had won the toss and chosen to bat first.

Chris Aubrey took 4-26 and Cameron Baden claimed 3-25 as the home side were bowled out for just 127.

Captain Williamson then led the Swindon reply after tea, with the opener remaining unbeaten at the crease on 58 when the winning runs were scored with more than 13 overs left as the visitors reached 138-5.

“In hindsight, it was a pretty good toss to lose,” said Williamson.

“The pitch was probably one of the worst ones we will play on all year, so it was definitely good to let Devizes have a go on it before we did so we could try to learn from their mistakes.

“Cam Baden bowled really well up top and managed to get three of their top order out early and Chris Aubrey then came on and took apart their middle order. They both bowled really well.

“When it came to our turn to bat, we just needed to apply ourselves. It wasn’t too bad trying to stay in but scoring runs was really tough.

“A few of the guys at the top of the order just dug in and batted long and it was me who was fortune enough to get a few runs this week.

“Myself and Liam Tucker just tried to soak up the pressure, bat the balls and see off their opening pair.

“It really is just a case of scoring when you can and surviving the dangerous balls that can arise from a pitch like that.”

Elsewhere, Royal Wootton Bassett’s recent revival was cut short by a 77-run defeat at home to Westbury & District.

Bassett headed into the game hunting a third straight win but were undone by the bowling of Dan Gill, who took four wickets for Westbury.

The visitors were asked to bat first after Bassett won the toss but racked up 245-7 thanks to the efforts of Richard Mills (73), James Haggarty (52) and Alex Senneck (51no).

Opener Charanveer Chahal (74) led the Bassett reply but no other batsman was able to score more than 24 as Gill returned fine figures of 4-13 to help bowl the hosts out for 168.

Purton’s winless run stretched to a fourth week as they were crushed by 114 runs at away at leaders Marshfield.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field, but Marshfield soon made hay with the bat and posted 272-8 as James Williams top scored on 87.

Elijah Samuel showed plenty of guts in reply, battling to a fine 95, but received next to no support and he was the last man out with Purton on 158 as Tom Clist took 4-32 for Marshfield.