GREAT Bedwyn captain Alistair Tuttle put the praise firmly at the feet of his bowlers as they claimed a first win of the season with an 87-run success at WEPL newcomers Royal Wootton Bassett.

Opener Richard Bosson (71) anchored the Bedwyn innings, while support from Nick Davies (46) and Max Andrews (31no) saw the visitors post a total of 209 all out as the brilliant Ben Batchelor (6-38) led the home attack.

Bassett’s reply never really got going as only Asanka Vithanage and skipper Darren Beasant scored more than 20 as they were dismissed for 122 in the 38th over.

Jamie Connell boasted the best Bedwyn bowling figures with 3-23 but captain Tuttle said Ben Smith, Max Andrews, Sam Tuttle and Nick Davies also played their part.

Captain Tuttle said: “It was a vital win. We were really disappointed last week to lose to Devizes and it was a typical first-game-of-the-season type performance but this week was much, much better.

“We really got on the front foot with the ball. Two of our U19 bowlers, Ben Smith and Sam Tuttle, bowled really well and Bassett were never up with the run-rate.

“We were actually put in to bat and I think perhaps we could have scored a few more runs. We had some good partnerships and at drinks we were 90-3 so I said let’s get to 35 overs and then kick on.

“I think we tried to kick on a little bit too soon and we ended up a bit short as we should have got to 225 or 230.

“We know we are not going to pull up many trees this year, which is why we were so disappointed last week as Devizes are probably going to be one of the teams down there with us, so it was important that we got a positive result this time.”

Elsewhere, Devizes were unable to open the campaign with back-to-back wins as they went down by two wickets at home to Warminster.

Tim Saye top scored with 42 as Devizes posted 173 all out, with two wickets each for Dominic Webb, John Powell and Bradley Smith.

Nick Hembury (46) and Rory Cullinan (41no) led the Warminster reply as they edged over home in the 45th over, finishing on 174-8 despite 3-24 from Tom Grant.

Zwelibanzi Homani’s brilliant unbeaten 112 was in vain for Marlborough as they lost by 72 runs at Trowbridge.

Billy Cookson (65), Ryan Pieterson (60) and Matthew Hopkins (48) all made significant contributions as Trowbridge hit 288-9 but Homani did not receive much support in the Marlborough reply as the visitors finished on 216-7.

Calne remain the only side in the division without a win as they lost by 50 runs at home to Marshfield.

James Williams’ 103 not out helped Marshfield post 264-6 before 3-38 from Suffan Hassan helped bowl Calne out for 214 despite a battling 87 from opener Jordan Butler.