ROYAL Wootton Bassett eked out six more precious points in their bid to ensure they retain WEPL Wiltshire status next season as the rain foiled Swindon's bid to push themselves into the promotion picture on Saturday.

Fourth-placed Swindon started the day on the fringes of the title race having won their previous three fixtures, while Bassett were seeking to end a run of three straight defeats with a win that would have all but secured their place in the division.

In the end though the rain was the winner on Saturday, with Bassett stymied in their chase of Swindon's 183 all out.

Opener Marc Williamson scored 51 for the visitors, but received little support, with 28 extras being the next highest contributor to their innings.

Charanveer Chahal took 3-38 for the home side, while there were two wickets each for Akash Sharma, Charlie Knight and Asanka Vithanage.

The Bassett reply got off to a shaky start with opener Sam Lawro removed by Cameron Baden, the catch being taken by Liam Tucker before two batsmen were sent back to the hutch with the score on 11.

Yasir Irshad was bowled by Baden (2-6) without score and skipper Darren Beasant was bowled by Conor Cleary for seven before the weather intervened and forced the abandonment.

Purton were perhaps grateful for the elements doing their worst after being dismissed cheaply in their clash at title-chasing.

Put into bat, Aaron Lee's side lost wickets steadily and were grateful to a fifth-wicket partnership of 38 between opener Elijah Samuel (46) and Phil Duffell (18) to move their score along.

Tayler Aitken added a late 16 but they were the only three batsmen to reach double figures as Tom Clist took 3-32 and there were two wickets each for Lachlan Tyler, Thomas Lamb and Sam Jukes.

Thanks to the conditions though, the Marshfield reply never even got started.

Troubled Lechlade's cause at the bottom of Prem Two Glos/Wilts looks increasingly lost after they forfeited their match against Biddestone at the weekend.