Crusader Wiltshire League (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Crusader Wiltshire League

Divison One: It remains very close at the top of the table with still just five points covering the top three sides.

Purton go top after a 85 run win at Box. Mark Colyer (73no) top scored in their 182-9 as Dave Crawford took 5-35 in 12 overs. Tobias Bowler responded with 4-35 in nine overs as Box were bowled out for 97.

Wootton Bassett are second, two points adrift, after they won by nineteen runs at Collingbourne. Bassett closed on 195-7, with Ian Lancaster making 42 from 16 balls at the end of their innings. Graham Chandler took 3-65 in 12 overs for Collingbourne. Steve Twine responded with 6-36 in 11 overs as, despite Ben Nicholls' 54 and Chandler's 30, Collingbourne were dismissed for 176.

Third placed Great Bedwyn scored 235-3 at home to Calne with John Palmer (89no) and Neil Maycock (46no) in form. Alan Turnell then took 4-15 in nine overs as Calne were dismissed for 133.

Westinghouse, in fourth place, bowled hosts Bath Civil Service out for 141 (Chris Kille 46) and went on to win by eight wickets thanks to John Peters (78no). John Fair bowled his 12 overs for just 13 runs.

Spye Park slipped further into trouble at the foot of the table as visitors Lechlade continued their recovery. They scored 270-6 thanks to Paul Gavin (104) and Ijaz Khan (59). Spye just could not match the required rate despite the efforts of Dave Beal (68) and John Haines (54no) and ended on 242-8

With the last three weeks to come, Bassett would appear to have the slightly easier run in, while a big game will be at Purton next week when Great Bedwyn visit.

Divison 2

THE meeting of the top two could not have been any closer as Nationwide House entertained leaders Potterne.

Batting first, Nationwide scored 155 all out with Kevin Flay top scoring with a valuable 58 against bowlers Dave Gibson (3-25) and Neil Jackson (3-36).

Potterne replied with 155-9, to leave the match tied. Paul Clark (48) and Neil Doran (33) top scored, while Mark Flay had 3-38 in 11 overs and Steve Lewis 5-26 in 11.

Third met fourth as Cooper-Avon Tyres entertained Avebury. Avebury were restricted to 146-9 and Cooper-Avon knocked the runs off for the loss of four wickets.

Potterne look set to return immediately to Division One. Whether Nationwide follow them could well depend on the last match of the season when Cooper-Avon visit.

Swindon Civil Service join Avebury in joint fourth place after they defeated bottom of the table Urchfont. Urchfont scored 144 all out with Ian Slater (46) and Hugh Bottomley (39) in form. For Civil Service, Andy Mildenhall took 4-24 in ten overs and David MacDonald 2-19 in 12. Dave Townsend (47no) and Rob Painter (35) then helped Civil service to a five wicket victory with six overs to spare.

Blunsdon consolidated their mid table position at the expense of visiting Seagry. Julian Beckett (105) and Kevin Aubrey (85) helped Blunsdon to 252-4. Darren Fisher then took 4-54 and John Collins 3-17 as Seagry replied with 208-9 Alex Fereday (73) and Paul Lewis (37) top scoring.

Buscot Park won vital points in their foot of the table clash with Sutton Veny. Buscot, thanks to Ronny Fernandez (75) and Hamish Millar (73no), scored 186-7, with Doug Small taking 4-34 in 12 overs. In reply, Sutton Veny were bowled out for 160 Paul Cook (30) and Doug Small (25) top scoring as Ian Mills took 2-19 and Mike Heaseman 3-34.

Divison 3

LEADERS Burbage and ER consolidated their position with an easy eight-wicket victory at the expense of Wilcot.

Wilcot were shot out for 49 with Nick Cook (4-26 in 11 overs) and Terry Strong (5-17 in 10) doing the damage. Alan Wheeler's 23 then helped Burbage to their win.

Moredon Royal Oak remain second as they won by three wickets at Wanborough. Wanborough scored 184-8 thanks to Nick Stacey (60no) and Paul Sore (27), while Ian Morton took 2-42 in ten overs and Tristram Hawkes 3-21 in 12. Latif Hussain (54no) and Roger Morton (40) then top scored as Mordon won from the game's last ball. Andy Clinning claimed 2-28 in 12 overs and Stacey 2-39 in nine for Wanborough.

A surprise result at Lambourn saw the wheels come off Wroughton Wrangler's challenge. Lambourn scored 164-8 thanks to Ian Hobbs (64), Ray Boucher (31) and Daniel Hawkins (20no), Terry Fisher taking 4-38 in ten overs. Wroughton were then bowled out for 58, Paul Annetts (7-21 in 8.5 overs) doing the damage. Remarkably, for Wroughton, apart from Ray Wyman (35) and Terry Fisher (7), nobody else, apart from extras, troubled the scorers.

Corsham 3rd XI move to within a point of fourth placed Wanborough as they gained a narrow 20-run success at home to Cherhill. Paul Greenwood (58), Gavin Salter (50) and Mathew Unwin (32no) saw Corsham to 204-5, with Garry Vaughan (2-41 in 12 overs) being the best of the Cherhill bowlers. Cherhill were then dismissed for 184 with 11 balls remaining. Ian Hardy made 103 while Richard Toghill had 3-16 and Andy Nicholl 2-26.

Beanacre almost certainly look set to be relegated as they lost at home to Swindon 3rd XI by 30 runs. Swindon made 180-6 thanks to Cliff Iles (48) and Simon Barnett (37). For Beanacre, Andy Footner took 2-32 in 12 overs and Andy Story 2-34 in 12. Max Whiting then had 6-29 in six overs and Randy Roze 2-43 in 12 as Beanacre were restricted to 150-9 in reply Mark Wiltshire (26) and Andy Footner (26) top scoring.

Divison 4

PACE setters Litten Tree and Bradford Town are already virtually assured of promotion.

Litten Tree went to Purton 2nd XI and scored their highest League total as they amassed 360-1 with the unbeaten Rob Mercer making an individual high of 140, supported by Mike Brown (118) and Alan Smith (57no). Purton responded with 226-9 thanks to Dave Allen (102no), while John Brown took 4-47 in 11 overs and Steve King 4-49 in ten.

Bradford Town shot Keevil out for 59 (Tony Laws 4-24) and went on to win by eight wickets.

At Heytesbury, Justin Wagstaff (32), Rob Barnes (27), Chris Sloan (64no) and Leroy Curtis (25) helped the home side to 221-9 against lowley Bathford. Ashwin Amin then took 3-44 in 12 overs and Barnes had 4-25 in 11.1, which included a hat-trick, as Bathford were bowled out for 123 (Joe Vowles 29).

The bottom of the table clash at Coates saw the home side pull away from Highworth after a five-wicket victory. Highworth made 187-9 thanks to Mark Thatcher (79) and Danny Firkin (40) as Tim Sanderson took 4-19 in 12 overs and Mark Robbins 2-17 in 12. Thanks to Keith Sanderson (96no) and Mark (33no) Coates, victory came with three overs to spare (Dave Firkin 2-19 in 6 overs).

Divison 5

THE meeting of the top two at Wootton Bassett ended in a comfortable 118-run win for the host's 2nd XI against visiting Chippenham 3rd XI.

Bassett made 258-9 thanks to Dave Griffin (78) and Barry Thurtell (41no, including four sixes from the last over), while Chris day took 4-79 in 11 overs. Chippenham were then bowled out for 140 with Nathan Robertson (53) top scoring as Kerri Dogra took 3-42 in 12 overs and Thurtell had 4-14 in 12. Nettleton remain a distant third as they scored 211-7 at home to Buscot Park 2nd XI, who they then shot out for 58.

Westinghouse 2nd XI bowled struggling Warminster 3rd XI out for 57 with Andy Day claiming 5-28 in 11.2 overs. Howard Symonds (29no) then put Westinghouse on the way to an easy eight-wicket win.

Beehive Bradford visited United Churches and came away with a narrow one-wicket victory. Churches made 174 all out thanks to Duncan Mead (40) and Andy Foster (37), while for Beehive Andy Goddard took 5-21 in 11.3 overs.

Chris Gilchrist responded with 6-32 in 10.1 overs, but Alan Day (73no) steered Beehive home with four overs to spare.

Devizes 3rd XI won for only the third time, against fellow strugglers Mildenhall. Omar Mannon (71) helped Devizes to 213-7 as Ian Panthania took 4-43 in 12 overs. Mat Tilley then took 5-14 in 3.5 overs and Andy Langan 3-33 in ten as Mildenhall were bowled out for 117

Divison 6

BRADFORD Town 2nd.XI consolidated their lead at the top of the division with a 32-run home win over Box 2nd XI.

Bradford had Darren Jones (64) to thank as they struggled for runs, ending on 147 all out as John Patton took 5-33 in 12 overs. Box in turn found runs hard to get and finished with 115-9. Alan Joy made 28 as Marcus Brown took 3-20 in seven overs and the youthful Dave Edwards 3-18 in ten. All Cannings consolidated their second place with a comprehensive 168-run win at Calne 2nd XI. Bob Holman (85) and Steve Parker (86) helped All Cannings to 296-6 as Darren Holcombe took 4-68 in 12 overs. Calne were then bowled out for 128 with Keith Bills 3-19 in 12 overs.

Lacock dismissed visiting Goatacre 3rd XI for 165 (Eddy Jenkinson 69, Andy Stowlowski 49) thanks to Tim Harding (4-27 in 12) and Antony Edwards (3-33 in 12). Phil Steans (58) and Roger Lines (42) then helped Lacock to a seven-wicket victory.

Divison 7

THE meeting of the top two at Biddestone 3rd XI saw visitors Dauntsey Gentlemen win and go clear at the top of the division.

Lawrence Kirby (41) top scored in the Gentlemen's 176-7 as Alan Christopher took 3-33 in 12 overs. Biddestone were then restricted to 129-7 in reply (Neil Millard 36, Chris Casey 32) as Sam Kingsbury claimed 3-38 in 12 overs.

Corsham 4th XI remain third as they defeated lowly Cherhill 2nd XI by 102 runs. Corsham scored 208-7 thanks to Adrian Smith (50) and Dan Collier (56), with Paul Andrews taking 5-47 in 11 overs. Cherhill were then bowled out for 106 Dave Hewin 29 as Martin Hick took 5-28 in seven overs and Terry Rogers 3-21 in 12.

Marshfield 3rd XI scored 172-9 at home to bath Civil Service 2nd XI who they then bowled out for 96 with eight overs remaining.

A big surprise was at Chippenham 4th XI where bottom of the table Beanacre 2nd XI were the visitors. Chippenham were bowled out for 161, (Omar Qureshi 33, Azad Qureshi 22) with Rob Hughes taking 3-22 in 11 overs and Rob Brown 5-39 in six. Chris Bailey (67) then set Beanacre on the way to a narrow two-wicket victory with just four balls to spare. Rob Williams 3-16 in six overs and Geoff Smith 2-13 in five the pick of the bowlers.

Collingbourne 2nd XI's poor run continued as they lost at Wootton Bassett 3rd XI by 15 runs. Bassett made 183-6 thanks to Mick Yaldon (72), John Aitkinhead (40) and Joe Yaldon (24). Despite the efforts of Grant Langfield (63) and Martin Young (23), Collingbourne were then bowled out for 168 with Mike Tyree taking 2-31 in eight overs and Graham King 2-16 in 11.5.

Divison 8

POTTERNE 2nd XI lead the division following their 45-run home win against United Churches 2nd XI.

Ed Fruen (84), Ashley Wrench (36) and Tony Stanfield (24) helped Potterne to 214 all out with Neil Laing taking 4-31 in 12 overs. He then top scored with 47 not out as Churches were dismissed for 169 (Eddy Vanzyl 24) by Jim Sadler (4-20 in 9.1 overs) and Kevin Gover (3-34 in 12).

Swindon 4th XI slipped to a surprise home defeat at the hands of Blunsdon 2nd XI. Swindon scored 142-9 thanks to Phil Laggatt (40) and Steve Laggatt (23no) as Aaron Golding took 2-27 in ten overs and Dan Walker 2-32 in 12.

An unbeaten 44 from Golding then helped Blunsdon to a three-wicket win with three overs left.

Congratulations to Wilcot 2nd XI who won the bottom of the table clash at home to Warminster 4th XI. Warminster were dismissed for 80 as Jack Chatfield took 4-28 and Michael Burns 3-36 in their seven overs. Tom Birkin (40no) then led Wilcot to a nine-wicket win as they knocked the runs off in 13.4 overs.

All Cannings 2nd XI had a comfortable win against visitors Spye Park 2nd XI. Richard Sykes (26) and Nathan Robinson (21) top scored in All Cannings' 155-8, with Steve Cope (2-28 in 10) and Roy Farmer (5-41 in 12) the pick of Spye's bowlers. The visitors were then bowled out for 66 (Danny Wallace 22) as Graham Mansell took 3-22 in seven overs and Terry Patterson 3-9 in four.

The mid-table meeting at Bathford 2nd XI with Biddestone 4th XI ended in a low scoring game, won by the visitors by 20 runs. Biddestone were restricted to 120-8 with a valuable unbeaten 42 from Dave Boulton. He then took 3-6 in five overs and with Pete Knight (3-41 in 11) helped bowl Bathford out for 100 with six overs to spare.

Trowbridge B visited Highworth 2nd XI and came away with a six-wicket win. Highworth scored 153-9 thanks to Paul Haines (34) and Geoff Hall (28no), while Paul Wilson took 5-41 in 12 overs. Richard Hudd (78no) and Rory Davis (36) then ensured Trowbridge had an easy passage to victory, as Shaun Close took 2-40.