WOOTTON Bassett overcame bottom of the table Malmesbury with just four balls and three wickets to spare in a tense local derby at Rylands Way.

Malmesbury elected to bat in a game reduced to 45 overs, and were soon in trouble, losing openers Richard Gaunt and Chris Hurst with only 27 runs on the board.

Twine soon accounted for Jeremy Newman and, with James Tweedale being smartly caught down the leg side by keeper Chattell, the visitors were struggling on 62 for four at the 20-over mark.

Some consistent bowling from Andy Stevens, the former Devizes Town football club manager, produced two more wickets, but Moore and Phillips then shared a partnership of 46 and helped steer the visitors to 133 for nine in their allotted overs.

Bassett, in reply, lost the early wicket of Chahal when he was bowled by Richard Mosdell before Tony Shama and Paul Elliott began to put together a stand, with Elliott in particular punishing any loose deliveries

Shama then went lbw to Gaunt and Elliott perished soon after to a poor shot after notching a valuable 38.

Bassett were still in a comfortable position at 70 for three at the midway stage, but Richard Neinaber and John Clarke once again threw away their wickets and the hosts began to struggle.

Gallimore and Chattell attempted to steady the ship, but a mix-up saw the former run out. Sami Akhtar whose pace caused problems throughout, then accounted for Chattell, bringing together skipper Twine and the evergreen Rod Smith.

Bassett still needed to score 20 from the remaining six overs and Twine and Smith ensured they reached their target with four balls remaining following a succession of singles.