CORSHAM 2nds slipped to a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of a strong Cheltenham side at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.

The visitors went into the clash looking to build on their opening day victory over Lansdown but, after winning the toss, skipper Rob Shillaker elected to bat on a surface that was tailor-made for the home attack.

Shillaker and fellow opener Chris Bultitude fell victim to medium pace opening bowlers Woolridge and Parnell respectively and Corsham were soon reeling on 30 for two.

Youngsters Unwin and Lye both fell victim to Sri Lankan medium pacer Thompson, who was to prove the scourge of Corsham with five wickets for 48 off ten overs and a matchwinning performance with the bat.

But scores of 41 and 40 respectively from Bolland and Simon Acornley steadied the ship and Corsham closed their 45 overs on 163 for nine.

The visitors' total always looked insufficient and number three bat Thompson made light work of the Corsham attack, finishing unbeaten on 121 as his side raced to victory with 8.2 overs and nine wickets to spare.