Swindon 237-9, Devizes 198 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swindon 237-9, Devizes 198

GLOS/WILTS ONE: SWINDON bounced back to winning ways with a 39-run victory over local rivals Devizes.

The victory means Swindon retain their place at the top of Glos/Wilts Division One with Devizes now in fifth spot.

It was a good all round performance from a Swindon side who were without their captain John Baden after failing to recover from a back problem.

Vice captain Liam Tucker took over and thanks to some responsible batting and a professional display with the ball Swindon were able take 20 points from a Devizes side who provided a stern test despite missing first teamers Mark Collyer, Alex Muse and Richard Wright.

Devizes captain Andy Hodder said he was frustrated with the loss and put it down to the last ten overs of the Swindon batting.

"We did not field too well or bowl well at the end. The last seven overs went for 68 runs and that's where we lost it.

"We lack concentration, dropped catches and had some misfields. But we have not been beaten heavily yet this season and we will look to turn it round this weekend."

Having lost the toss Tucker was pleasantly surprised when his side were asked to bat first on a flat looking Devizes wicket.

The home side's bowlers started well with the new ball as Swindon reached 58-1 off their first 20 overs. Australian Darren Rourke then began to find his feet and the run rate increased before the away side stumbled as he fell for 45 quickly followed by Will Nichols (0).

Liam Tucker then joined Tim Barton and the pair added exactly 50 for the fourth wicket before Tucker fell for 25 in the 33rd over.

Darren Beasant then joined Barton and the pair added 48 in the next nine overs before Barton fell caught behind for a fine 67 which proved to be the platform for what was to come.

Beasant and Dickinson added 18 in the next two overs before Beasant was bowled as Swindon worked hard to post a competitive total. With 186 on the board after 45 overs Swindon seemed like they would not do enough but Arran Dickinson (28no off 20 balls) and Mo Zohaib (34 from 19) had other ideas, launching an assault on the bowling which yielded 50 from the last five overs.

With Nichols back to share the new ball with Roger Willoughby Swindon managed to exert some control during the early stages of the Devizes reply allowing just 20 runs from the first ten overs.

Pete Ross joined Ben Watson and they managed to take 37 from the next ten overs to leave Devizes in an almost identical position to Swindon at 57-1.

Two wickets quickly fell and Devizes lost momentum, although Hodder, Jon Couch and Guy Tadman reached the twenties.

With ten overs remaining Devizes needed 93 with five wickets in hand but despite one or two lusty blows from Mark Banham they were unable to force the pace against an experienced Swindon attack and finished 38 runs short.

Swindon travel to Lydney on Saturday while Devizes face another derby away to Goatacre.