SWINDON'S fine mid- season form continued with an excellent win over Lansdown at the County Ground.

With the muggy weather and rain over the past week, bowling first always looked to be the option.

However, with the County Ground wicket playing better and better as the summer goes on, it is often better to be spared the decision.

Kevin Emery, thanks to his full proof theory on calling, lost the toss on purpose to spare himself the dilemma and predictably Lansdown's captain Hankins decided to bowl.

Brad Kretzmann and Ryan Shuttleworth negotiated the new ball with considerable skill and a little luck and by the 10th over the pair were beginning to impose themselves as they have done all year.

The introduction of the pacy but erratic Adams sparked the inning into life with the young fast bowler over stretching to be dispatched by Kretzmann for two successive fours.

With Cox also getting the treatment, going for 15 in one over, Swindon's tempo suddenly increased and the pair raced on to 85 off 20 overs having only managed 40 off the first 15.

Both played superbly, punishing the bad ball and defending the good one. Kretzmann playedthe more aggressive role and completed his 50 in the 22nd over.

Unfortunately, just as Shuttleworth was closing in on his, a piece of inspiration from the Landsdown fine leg fielder gave the visitors a much needed lifeline narrowly running out the Australian for 47 with a direct hit from the boundary.

This only temporarily took the wind out of Swindon's sails as John Baden quickly played himself in and rotated the strike to keep Kretzmann's innings going.

A string of boundaries saw him complete a magnificent 100 in the 37th over, but a tired shot off Australian Lejsek gave a sharp chance to square leg.

Baden then decided to try an over ambitious shot over mid-wicket to be bowled again by Lejsek.

Nichols and Cock played excellent knocks, thrashing 30 off the last three overs to post an imposing 217 off a reduced 45 overs.

Lansdown's reply began disastrously with Jon Sumner at last finding some rhythm removing three wickets inside the first 10 overs.

When Khan trapped Crouch lbw Lansdown were in disarray.

But the visitors were not about to lie down and a superb rearguard action from Barnes took the attack to Swindon and gradually pulled them back into the match.

With Barnes in full flight and all the seam option exhausted, Emery turned to Kretzmann's spin to try and break the partnership.

Kretzmann duly obliged, producing the killer blow by taking the wicket of Barnes for 67 with his first ball.

This was just the breakthrough Swindon needed and Richardson claimed the wicket of Hankins.

Kretzmann continued with a tight spell of offspin and claimed another wicket to leave him with 2 for 24.

Sumner completed his first five wicket haul of the year by claiming the final two wickets to secure a comfortable win.