Wootton Bassett v Swindon: SWINDON continued their fine start to their season with a comfortable victory over rivals Wootton Bassett.

Having lost the toss Swindon were asked to bat in conditions offering assistance to Bassett's bowlers.

But the opening pair of Nichols and Darren Rourke were as ever quick to seize on any scoring opportunities and did well to construct an opening partnership of 100-plus before Rourke fell to a leading edge immediately after reaching his half-century.

The Swindon innings then began to falter as Nichols fell one short of his half-century and skipper John Baden was somewhat unluckily judged caught behind.

Matt Baker again looked to be in tremendous form however he fell to a good catch in the deep by Chahal and, when Paul Baden was dismissed by an even better catch from Neil Twine, Bassett looked to be in the driving seat.

Beasant and Tucker set about rebuilding the innings, but found scoring tough, particularly against Steve Twine who was in the midst of a fine spell.

Beasant was bowled by Twine trying to force the pace, but Tucker began to find the boundary at regular intervals.

And, with fine support from the lower order and Roger Willoughby in particular, Swindon were able to set a reasonable 201-8 from their reduced 41 overs.

Twine ended with a well-deserved six-wicket haul.

The Bassett reply began with a flurry of boundaries, Walker looking in particularly fine form.

But Swindon's opening bowling pair of Willoughby and Nicholls settled into a rhythm and managed to stem the flow of runs, causing Twine to play a rash shot trying to up the run rate.

John Clarke joined Walker at the crease and immediately began to take the attack to the Swindon bowlers.

But he was caught off the Zohaob and Chahal was almost immediately dismissed by Rourke.

However Nick Clarke, in combination with brother John, began to find the boundary at regular intervals.

And with ten overs left Bassett needed only a run a ball with seven wickets in hand.

Rourke accounted for both John Clarkes, John for a fine half century to wrestle control back for Swindon.

Paul Stoddard, bowling in tandem with Rourke and, with wickets falling regularly, Bassett were unable to maintain the necessary run rate and ended 20 runs short with two wickets remaining.

Rourke was the pick off the Swindon bowlers ending with 4-45 off 11 overs.