Bassett managed to beat the bottom side, Malmesbury, by three wickets with only four balls to spare.

Malmesbury decided to bat in a game reduced to 45 overs, and were soon in trouble, losing both openers, Gaunt and Hurst, with 27 runs on the board in the first 10 overs.

Twine soon accounted for Newman, and with Twedale being smartly caught down the leg side by keeper Chattell they were struggling at 62-4 at the 20 over mark.

Andy Stevens, bowling as consistently as ever, took two more wickets and Malmesbury were in deep trouble, but Moore and Philips then put on a partnership of 46, and it wasn't until the introduction of Elliott, who removed Philips and Mosdell in quick success, that the Malmesbury innings finished at 133-9 in their allotted overs.

Bassett, in reply, lost the early wicket of Chahal, bowled by Mosdell. Tony Shama and Paul Elliott began to put together a stand, with Elliott especially punishing anything loose. Shama was lbw to Gaunt and Elliott then perished soon after to a poor shot, out for a valuable 38.

Bassett were still in a comfortable position at 70-3 at the midway stage, but again Neinaber and John Clarke threw away their wickets and Bassett began to struggle.

Gallimore and Chattell began to put things right, but a complete misunderstanding, leaving both batsmen at the same end saw Gallimore run out.

Akthar, who had bowled at a level pace throughout, accounted for Chattell, which brought to the wicket the skipper, Twine, and the evergreen Rod Smith, with Bassett still needing 20 off the remaining six overs.

Malmesbury never gave up, but the Bassett batsmen, picking up the singles, scraped to victory with just four balls left.