WET weather may have hindered the action throughout the Wiltshire Cricket League, but the race to be crowned champions in Division Two remains very much in the balance after the top two of Beckington and Chippenham 2nd both beat the rain to claim victory at the weekend.

Leaders Beckington earned a five-wicket success away at Biddestone 2nd to remain seven points clear at the head of the standings.

Biddestone batted first and a brilliant century from Thomas Walker (117) helped them score 293-4 off their 45 overs. Will Pritchett added 77 and Aled Evans made an unbeaten 51.

That target was reduced to 254 after a rain disruption, and a scintillating 111 from Charlie Rustell saw Beckington achieve their chase with 15 balls to spare to finish on a winning 256-5.

Mark Quamil chipped in with 57 and A Hayes made 40 not out as Aled Evans took three wickets for Biddestone.

Chippenham 2nd remain Beckington’s closest challengers after a brilliant bowling display set up a five-wicket win away at their Warminster counterparts.

Aaron Merryweather and Ryan Merryweather took four wickets each to skittle Warminster for 99, although that target was lowered to 67 from 30 overs in a rain-reduced second innings.

Although Warminster’s Ryan Mee (4-3) did his best to stifle the Chippenham reply, they eased over the winning line inside 15 overs to finish on 67-5.

Matches involving the Swindon A, Swindon NALGO and Swindon United Churches were all abandoned.

DIVISION ONE

A TOTAL washout of fixtures in the top tier means Potterne 2nd remain favourites to be crowned champions as they hold a 40-point cushion at the head of the table.

All five of the division’s matches, including Potterne’s trip to Swindon 2nd, failed to produce a result.

DIVISION THREE

MATTHEW Harrington’s half-century set up a 16-run win for Bradford on Avon at home to Wroughton Wranglers.

Harrington hit 84 to help Bradford post 202-8, although the efforts of Mark McKeeking (4-22) with the ball meant that total was not any higher.

Wroughton’s target was reduced to 113 off 25 overs after rain brought a temporary halt to proceedings, but they ended up short of that and could only reach 96-5.

DIVISION FIVE

MELKSHAM suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, with a calamitous batting display forcing them to endure a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat away to leaders Wanborough.

Having lost the toss and forced to bat in unfavourable conditions, Melksham openers Daniel Carpenter and Freddie Honeybone commenced the innings in reasonably quick fashion and put on 25 before the former departed for 19.

That proved to be the best a Melksham batsman could muster as Noel Braganza (4-6) and Jervis Noronha (3-18) soon ran riot and the innings collapsed to 63 all out.

Despite having such a small target to chase, Wanborough seemingly wanted to end the contest as quickly as possible with the threat of rain looming, but after slipping to 35-3 after 10 overs, Melksham were still in with a shout.

However, the hosts’ fourth-wicket pairing was able to see their side side over the winning line without further alarm as they reached 65-3 inside 17 overs.

Ed Carver led a successful run chase for Biddestone 3rd as they claimed a two-wicket win away at Collingbourne.

Carver scored 61 to ensure Biddestone chased their target of 216 despite David Malley picking up four wickets for the home side.

Will Eden (83) and Andy Holman (60) had earlier helped Collingbourne post 215 all out, with Ben Evans returning figures of 3-33 for the visitors.

DIVISION NINE

ANDREW Crabbe fell just short of a century but had the consolation of setting up Marlborough 3rd for a nine-wicket win away at Biddestone 4th.

Christopher Meggs scored 56 of Biddestone’s 167-8, with Marlborough’s Fraser Taylor picking up three wickets.

Crabbe made sure the visitors made serene progress in reply, scoring 94 alongside an unbeaten 57 from Ed Puddick as they got home inside 30 overs, finishing on 168-1.