CHIPPENHAM took the scalp of newly crowned champions Glastonbury at home on Saturday in an absolute nailbiter.

The visitors lost their final wicket with only four runs needed for victory, but Chippenham's golden run, which has seen them win five of the last six matches, has come slightly to late to force their way into the top two promotion spots.

"If we'd started putting that kind of form together a few weeks earlier, we'd be challenging to go up to premier one with Glastonbury," Chippenham captain Trevor Lloyd said after the game.

Winning the toss and batting, the home side batted solidly at the start of the innings after the relatively early loss of Liam Dawson (11).

Fellow opener Richard Bates went on to score an even half century before he spooned a catch off Wesley Durston, and he received great support from Mark Hunt (39) and Jace Lawson (35).

Having built a solid foundation, Chippenham lost regular wickets late in the innings chasing quick runs. Ian Merryweather kept it together with 21 not out, and off their 45 overs, they ended up with 197 for 8 on home turf.

Opening bowlers Tom Punchard and Craig Gibbens did most of the damage for Glastonbury, taking 3 for 56 and 3 for 29 respectively.

Wesley Durston was the mainstay when the visitors replied, and with the total cruising past 100 for the loss of only one wicket, the title holders looked like another scalp was going their way.

The loss of Durston (78), who was removed by a handy piece of glovework from keeper John Rumble off Richard Bates, triggered a mini collapse.

Tim Burt went for 29, and Jason Searle engineered two quick wickets with a caught and bowled and lbw.

James Fear (15) was batting confidently with Rob Travers (17) and Tom Punchard (20), but more excellent work in the field from Chippenham saw the latter two run out with less than 20 runs needed.

Skipper Lloyd stepped in to clean up the tail, taking 2 for 8, and Chippenham earned the win through a very solid day's toil in the field.

Bates ended up with 3 for 49 off 15, including the key wicket of Durston, and Searle took two wickets, but at a high price.