TONY Shama's 84 was not enough to prevent Wootton Bassett slipping to a two-wicket defeat against Hatherley & Reddings in their Glos & Wilts Division 1 outing.

Hatherley won the toss and inserted Bassett, with the returning Shama and Paul Elliott opening the batting.

Elliott was out in the third over but South African Richie Nienaber and Shama began to repair the damage in what were difficult batting conditions.

The score had moved on to 24 when Nienaber was excellently caught off the bowling of Siddons, John Clarke and Jug Chahal quickly followed and at that stage Bassett were wobbling on 38-4.

Neil Twine and then Clark joined Shama before Chattel came to the wicket with the score at 114-6 in the 39th over. They produced a useful 50-run partnership before Shama was out for a vital 84. Chattel's 29 not out saw Bassett to a respectable 183-8 from their allotted 50 overs.

Hatherley's reply was slow and steady and made more difficult by the impressive opening spells of Smith and Stevens.

Stevens forced both openers to play and miss regularly, and eventually dismissed Staff for two.

Baker and Bray, having been dropped at slip,slowly increased the run rate.

They had reached 35 in the 14th over when Bray was run out by an impressive piece of work from Chahal. Hatherley continued to keep within touching distance of the required run rate but also continued to lose wickets.

The game was finely poised going into the latter stages, but left-hander Nally tipped the balance in favour of the Gloucestershire side as he began to unleash one or two big shots.

He was particularly severe on Steve Twine but he responded by having Nally caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary by Clark for an inspired 33.

Gorick then weighed in with a steady 32 and it was just left to Siddons to see them home at 186-8 in the 49th over,with two wickets to spare.

Steve Twine was the pick of the Bassett bowling, finishing with 3-44 from his 11 overs.

Scores: Wootton Bassett 183-8, 50 overs (Shama 84, Chattel 29 not out, N Siddons 4-55); Hatherley & Reddings 186-8, 49.2 overs (Nally 33, Gerick 32, S Twine 3-44).

Bassett bowling: A Stevens 14-4-42-2; R Nienaber 11-1-51-2; S Twine 11-2-44-3; S Smith 9-2-25-0; N Twine 4-0-11-0.