MARLBOROUGH crushed Wootton Bassett by 119 runs on Saturday to leave the home side in likelihood of being relegated for the second season running.

In the process, Marlborough, moved up to fifth, their highest league position of the season.

Marlborough chose to bat, but the Wootton Basset bowling was tight and effective with Mike Walker in particular on the mark.

The start was unspectacular as 'Borough openers Ahmad and Tom Norris crawled along to 30 from 12 overs. Then out of the blue, as the pair discussed the situation at the middle of the wicket, Norris suddenly started to wave his arms in distress and fell to the ground in a panic.

A wasp had stung him on his neck, but unfortunately, with batting gloves on, the skipper was unable to pull the sting out, but a Wootton Bassett fielder acted quickly and removed the cause of the pain, but perhaps he should have left it in.

It seemed just the sting Marlborough's batting needed as the rekindled Norris started to look in fine form. With Ahmad now attacking, the score moved quickly to 80, but he fell just short of a half century yet again with a useful 48, two balls before the 23rd over drinks break.

Reliable opener Norris completed his wasp assisted half century but was bowled soon after for 52. Marlborough's middle order stepped up a gear as Richard Turnell (27) and Pete Day (21) played nice shots and used their speed between the wickets.

Nathan Morgan joined Frank Whiting at the crease, and intent on upstaging his mentor, e started to strike the ball hard and far with ease. Although Whiting fell for a brutal 45 from only 30 balls, Morgan continued and struck three sixes in his brisk and entertaining innings of 39 from an astonishing 16 balls. Marlborough reached their highest league total of 258 for 6, with 178 of those coming from the last 22 of the allotted 45 overs.

A dispirited Wootton Bassett knew they were up against it. Although Chahal showed his ability with the bat with some good pull shots, they were soon two down for not many. Walker joined Chahal and for while, the pair looked set, taking the score beyond 80.

The spin combination of Vinay Sharma and Ben Head produced key breakthrough's as first Chahal (42) fell to a brilliant catch at mid-on from George Fox off Head and a frustrated Walker soon followed.

With the writing on the wall, Wootton Bassett continued to attack and Marlborough snapped up regular wickets, including three stumpings for a grateful wicketkeeper Karl Norris. Wootton Basset were all out in the 37th over for 139. The magic combination of Ben Head (4 for 39) and Vinay Sharma (3 for 37) led the 'Borough off the field.