A FABULOUS five-wicket haul from Charlie Slade fired Chippenham to a six-wicket win at home to Devizes and kept them amongst the leading contenders in WEPL Wiltshire.

Skittling the visitors for just 90 set up a fifth win from six for Steve Silk’s side this season as they sit third in the table.

Slade (5-18) led the charge but there were also three wickets for Philip Adams, and captain Silk was keen to praise his entire attack as the Devizes innings lasted less than 28 overs.

“It was a complete performance from the bowlers,” said Silk.

“We won the toss and chose to bowl first. It was a lovely sunny day and a good wicket, so great conditions for batting. We said to the guys that they needed to back up the decision, and they did exactly that.

“We just bowled good areas and hardly gave anything away. It was backed up in the field too as we took all of the chances that came our way.

“Charlie probably bowled the spell of his life. He is a talented 16-year-old and this was his first five-for. He just bowled beautifully with pace and rhythm.

“Everyone played their part and you bowl in partnerships, and down the other end from Charlie, Ralph Hardwick bowled six overs for eight runs.”

Richard Bates fell cheaply as Chippenham started their reply with the score on just two, but there were few real problems for Silk’s side as they eased past the winning post with more than 30 overs to spare, finishing on 92-4.

“We just had to be patient when it came to batting. It was a case of applying ourselves and not letting Devizes get on top of us,” said Silk.

“A wicket went down early and that always gives you a bit of a worry and means the noise in the field starts to go up, but we got home pretty comfortably in the end.”

Elsewhere, Calne claimed a first win of the summer with a 78-run success away at Corsham 2nd.

Devane Warner scored 73 as the visitors posted 213 all out, with Ned Jones and Andy Davis picking up three wickets each.

James Sutton then returned figures of 5-36 to help dismiss the Corsham reply for 135.

Royal Wootton Bassett saw their perfect start to the season ended in a 47-run loss at Swindon.

Sam Lawro (4-26) and Charanveer Chahal (3-27) helped bowl Swindon out for 199 as Conor Taylor scored a fine 80.

However, Bassett struggled with the bat and Chahal’s 42 was their chief resistance as they were dismissed for 152.

That leaves Warminster as the only team with an unblemished record after Marlborough were thrashed by 120 runs.

Peter Hickerton (71) and Tom Davie (69) helped Warminster declare of 225-6 after 45 overs and Elliot Hooper’s 4-12 curtailed the Marlborough reply for 105 in the 31st over.

Four wickets each for Lachlan Tyler and Thomas Lamb helped Marshfield to an emphatic 147-run win at Purton.

Dave Jenkins scored 88 as Marshfield scored 233-9 before Purton collapsed to 86 all out in reply.