Crusader Wiltshire League (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Crusader Wiltshire League

DIVISION ONE: WITH the top five sides playing the bottom five it seemed unlikely that the breakaway group at the top would be opened up by much and so it proved.

Spye Park had Westinghouse for visitors and restricted them to 168-8, Stu Wakely making 40 while John Bathe took 2-42 in 12 overs.

Thanks to Dave Beal (69) and Bathe (38), Spye then gained a four-wicket victory with five overs to spare despite the efforts of Colin Fry (2-23 in 12) and an economical spell from John Cleverley.

A Lechlade side missing six regulars entertained Calne and saw them race away to 168-2 thanks to John Gladding (93) and Steve Richards (33). The advent of Paul Rowley into the attack saw an abrupt change as Calne collapsed to 194 all out, Rowley taking 5-21 in 4.2 overs and Mark Lambert 4-27 in 12. Despite 52 from Roger Pettifer, Lechlade were then restricted to 176-9 in reply with Chris Robinson taking 3-46 in 12 overs.

Bottom of the table Collingbourne are still looking for a first win after a three wicket home defeat by Great Bedwyn. They scored a respectable 201-9 with Ghyas Khan (69) top scoring, but John Palmer (78) and Nick Maycock (53) then steered Bedwyn to victory with six overs to spare. Ben Doherty took 4-58 in 12 overs.

Wootton Bassett consolidated their challenge with a narrow three-wicket win at Box. Tony Trotman (49) top scored in the Box total of 165 all out as Steve Twine took 4-35 and Ian Lancaster 3-37. Tony then took 2-32 in eight overs but Ray Patel (39) and Jag Chahal (33) steered Bassett to victory with eight overs remaining.

Division Two

POTTERNE extended their lead in the division with an 86-run victory at Sutton Veny after posting 187, Doug Small taking 5-42.

In response, Neil Doran had 6-27 in 12 overs as Sutton Veny were dismissed for 101.

Nationwide House go into second place as they won at Cooper-Avon Tyres. Batting first, they scored 221-7 with Steve Archer (86) and Dave Close (34) on form. Archer then took 3-7 in five overs and Ken Slade 2-32 in eight as Cooper-Avon were restricted to 165-8 in reply, Dave Light (42) top scoring.

Swindon Civil Service entertained Seagry and batting first scored 171-7, thanks to Shaun Smith (61). Seagry were then dismissed for 135, Andy Lawrence top scoring with 79, while James Townsend took 3-31 in eight overs and Andrew Mildenhall 4-18.

The Avebury match at Blunsdon, and the bottom of the table clash between Urchfont at Buscot Park were two of half a dozen games which fell victim to Friday's downpour.

Division Three

THE top five sides are covered by just twelve points.

Wroughton Wranglers go top after their win in a low scoring game at strugglers Beanacre. They found runs hard to get batting first and closed on 103-7. John Grainger (28), Alan Stratford (25) and Ross Perryman (20) the leading scorers as Richard Hemmimgs took 3-29. Beanacre were then bowled out for 81 in their 40th over, Andy Footner making 27 as Phil Woodcock took 7-15 in 7.5 overs.

Previous leaders Swindon 3rd collapsed to 67 all out at Burbage and E.R., who went on to win by eight wickets.

Bottom placed Wilcot visited Wanborough and made 169-8 thanks to Graham Smith (54) and Rob Abbott (37). Andy Clinning took 3-32 in 12 overs and Phil Jeffcott 3-41 in nine. Thanks to Nick Stacey (65no) and Andy Wilson (34no), Wanborough then went on to win by six wickets with ten balls to spare, Smith taking 3-20 in his 12 overs.

Division Four

SWINDON Litten Tree retained their hold on the division with a comprehensive defeat of hosts Keevil.

Having already taken a liking to their bowling earlier in the season they exceeded their previous league highest as they raced to 367-2, Mike Brown making 109 and a third century in as many games from Rob Mercer (124).

Keevil were then bowled out for 63.

Nationwide House 2nd entertained Bathford and bowled them out for 173, Paul Merritt unbeaten on 48 as Chris Truella took 6-50 in 12 overs. Andy Murray responded with 3-38 but Eddy Roofe (41), Adam Rumbold (32no) and Steve Lewis (31no) saw Nationwide to a five-wicket victory.

Division Five

WOOTTON Bassett 2nd retain top spot despite their four-wicket home defeat at the hands of challenging Beehive Bradford.

Bassett scored 173-9 with Dave Griffin (72) and Lee Giles (48) in form, while Graham Fone took 6-27 in eight overs. Lead by Gerry Lapham's 76, Beehive gained their win with ten overs to spare, despite Paul Harris taking 3-57 in 12 overs.

Westinghouse 2nd maintained their challenge with a narrow four-run home victory over Buscot Park 2nd XI. They scored 162 all out, and then, despite Tony Watts' 60, bowled Buscot out for 158.

Struggling Warminster 3rd were bowled out for 69 at United Churches for whom Andy Foster took 4-16 in 12 overs and Alan Jones 5-23 in 8.4. Mark Oliver (31no) then led Churches to an easy nine-wicket victory.

Devizes 3rd entertained Nettleton who scored 224-6 thanks to Ian Witt (57) and Peter Fincher (66). Andy Langan took 3-28 in ten overs. Devizes were then bowled out for 141, Lee Pitman (31) and Paul Stevens (30) top scoring as Witt had 3-22 in 8.3 overs and Andy Cousins 3-29 in 12.

Division Six

WITH leaders Lacock's game at Calne 2nd falling a victim to the weather, Bradford Town 2nd took the chance to go top of the division.

They bowled visiting Burbage and E.R. 2nd out for 116, Garry Flippance (35) top scoring as Nick Gerrish took 3-13 in seven overs. Clive Warren (51no) and Mark Mullis (27) then helped Bradford to a comfortable eight-wicket win.

Box 2nd replaced hosts Trowbridge A in third place as they won by nine runs in a close game. Box scored 180-9 with Brian Foley (56) and Steve Doulton (36) top scoring. The pick of the Trowbridge bowlers being Steven Chalk with 2-28 in 12 overs and Phil Usher 2-35 in seven. Trowbridge were then restricted to 171-8 in reply, Stephen Neate (77) and Chris Dawson (24) in form as Andy Guy took 3-38 in seven overs and Richard Gray 1-28 in 12.

Division Seven

DAUNTSEY Gentlemen continue undefeated following their nine-wicket victory at Marshfield 3rd XI, who they bowled out for 85 before knocking the runs off in 23 overs.

Corsham 4th lost for the first time, at home to Collingbourne 2nd XI. Collingbourne scored 154-8, as Richard Toghill took 3-32 in 11 overs. Corsham were then restricted to 149-8, Steve Knight claiming 3-38 in 12 overs. Wides cost Corsham dearly as they conceded 26 to Collingbourne's 14.

Biddestone 3rd keep up their challenge in second place following an easy nine-wicket victory at Cherhill 2nd XI. They dismissed their hosts for just 77 with Howard Moorland taking 5-25 in eight overs and Andy Christoford 3-8 in nine. Neil Millard then made 52 not out as the required runs were scored with 25 overs remaining.

Division Eight

POTTERNE 2nd made 237-8 at home to All Cannings 2nd with useful contributions from Kevin Gover (62), Ed Fruen (42), Jamie Bathe (37) and Brendan Baker (26). For All Cannings, Graham Perrett took 4-51 in 12 overs and Hugh Saye 4-83 in 11. All Cannings were then dismissed for 84, Perrett top scoring with 27 as Andrew Sainsbury took 2-13 in ten overs, Jim Sadler 3-20 in six and Gover 2-8 in six.

Bathford 2nd slipped up again, losing by six wickets to visiting North Bradley. Bathford made 125 all out thanks to Mike Nowell (26) and Simon Machin (27).

Andy Colbrook took 4-27 in eight overs and Curt Macness 3-20 in eight. Olly Howe (60) and Steve Eade (30no) then saw the visitors home with 11 overs to spare.

The mid-table meeting between Biddestone 4th and Swindon United Churches 2nd went Churches way as they made 184 all out and then restricted their hosts to 159-8 in reply.

Warminster 4th, who reached 246-8, gained their first success of the season with a comprehensive win over visiting Blunsdon 2nd thanks to Charles Pritchett (120) and George Coffey (49).

Brian Garland then took 6-38 in eight overs as Blunsdon were bowled out for 97.

Highworth 2nd ran out ten-wicket winners at home to Spye Park 2nd thanks to George Kirk who took 4-15 in ten overs and Andy Furkins 3-27 in 9.3 which helped dismiss Spye for 82. Dan Batchelor (37no) and Joe White (38no) then knocked the runs off.