POTTERNE skipper Neil Clark thinks that his side’s next two matches will go a long way to determining the outcome of their Glos/Wilts Division title hunt.

Clark’s league leaders, who notched up their sixth straight victory last Saturday by demolishing Painswick, travel to fifth-placed Rockhampton this weekend before hosting local rivals Biddestone.

“We’ve got two very tough games coming up and if we don’t win those, things could end up coming down to our last game of the season at home to Lechlade, who are also doing very well,” said the Potterne captain.

“We’re going to focus on trying to get good results against Rockhampton and Biddestone and then see where we are then.

“We had a game plan to try and bat for 45 overs against Painswick and then declare, which we did – I’d heard that Lechlade were planning to do the same so we wanted to try and get those extra two points.”

Potterne batted first after winning the toss and seized control thanks to Tom Cullen’s storming knock of 172 off 150 balls, which included five sixes and 21 fours.

Painswick’s Edward Bressington and James Harber both took three wickets but the hosts declared in the 45th over with a healthy 306-8.

The visitors’ Jon Griffiths hit 61 but his efforts were in vain as Potterne’s Jake Roberts claimed four wickets for 37 runs, with Painswick skittled for 169 in their 45th over.

Meanwhile, third-placed Biddestone slipped to a 31-run defeat at home to Chipping Sodbury.

The visitors batted first and despite Biddestone’s Joshua Bolton and Dwaine Perry taking three wickets apiece, Chipping Sodbury posted 210-8, with Harry Webb hitting 69.

Lawrence Roots hit a late 42 for the hosts but their efforts were hampered by Jon Toghill, who took 5-31.

Tim Knight (31) and Chris Baker (24) did their best to put runs on the board but Biddestone were all out for 179 in the 45th over.

Chippenham also suffered defeat at Hardenhuish Park as they capitulated against Rockhampton.

Lee Ward’s men opted to bowl first after winning the toss and Rockhampton’s William Tyler hit 73 as his side posted 203-9, despite Denson Narayan taking 3-28.

But the Chippenham run chase never got off the ground, with Tom Young (21), Michael Torr (21) and Ward (20) the only home batsmen to reach double figures.

The home side were skittled for a lowly 90 after 39 overs.

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