DEVIZES captain Tom Grant was delighted to see his side bounce back from their derby-day disappointment with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Malmesbury last weekend.

Seven days previous, the London Road outfit lost the derby spoils as they slipped to a two-wicket defeat at the hands of near-neighbours Calne but Grant had the spring put back in his step as his team trounced the Wiltshire Division’s basement boys.

Devizes’ fourth victory of the season leaves them fifth in the table and skipper Grant has been pleased that his team have remained competitive in all their outing so far this term.

“I’m happy because we were really gutted to lose to Calne last week,” said Grant.

“It’s our local derby and it’s a game you always want to win.

“We hadn’t lost to them in something like five years but it was good to bounce back with such a comfortable win, which is good for my heart-rate.

“If I’d been offered the position we’re in at the start of the season, I’d definitely have taken it and I guess it’s slightly disappointing that we’re not even higher because our losses this season have been by a wicket or 20 runs.

“It’s good that we’ve been in every game and it’s a lot more enjoyable than last year, where we’d win some weeks and get hammered others.”

After winning the toss, Devizes immediately had their visitors under the cosh with the ball, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.

Ewen Kenney (37) and Sam Thomas (26) offered up the greatest resistance for Jack Ward’s Malmesbury as John Dunford (3-37) led the home side’s charge.

Grant (2-25) and Chris Downham (2-6) were also amongst the wickets as the visitors were skittled for 136 early in the 39th over.

The Devizes skipper was dismissed after reaching 43 but Joe Wookey (54*) and Tom Andrew (34*) helped knock off the runs with ease, the hosts reaching 140-1 in little more than 20 overs.

Elsewhere, the chasing pack have gained ground on table-toppers Marlborough after their lead was cut to just two points following their 26-run defeat to Trowbridge.

Sam Julyan hit an unbeaten 81 whilst Stuart Edginton weighed in with 60 and Tom Weaver made 36 as Trowbridge posted 264-7, despite Will Langton taking four wickets.

Marlborough captain Arran Dickinson spear-headed the run-chase with a knock of 59 but the home side eventually ran out of steam, with James Richardson hitting 36 and Ben Head making 27 as the Savernake Forest men could only reach 238-9.

There was disappointment for Calne as they were thrashed by 149 runs at Purton.

Dan Knight’s men won the toss and put their hosts in to bat and they posted 219-7, with Daniel Booth-Howe (56) and Imran Ashraf (43*) at the fore.

Calne’s run-chase then never got off the ground as they collapse for a lowly 70 midway through the 24th over, George Skyes top-scoring with just 15 as Bippinsuni Gattapur took 4-13.

Marshfield’s clash with Great Bedwyn was rained off.