MARLBOROUGH put the cat among the pigeons at the top of the table as Paul Smith’s devastating spell of bowling destroyed leaders Trowbridge on Saturday.

While the result knocked the west Wiltshire side off the top of the pile, it also boosted the home team’s hopes of re-engaging with the title-chasing pack in fourth place.

Having put their opponents in, Marlborough set about the Trowbridge order, George Fox (2-22) and Mohan Balusu (2-29) removing the top four batsmen with just 24 on the board.

Skipper Mike Reynolds (18) and Tom Weaver (14) attempted to repair the damage with a shortlived partnership of 28 but Smith’s arrival soon brought about the end of the innings.

Smith took 5-8 in just four overs to mop up the Trowbridge tail as they crashed to 79 all out in under 20 overs.

The run chase proved less than simple as opener Nick Crabbe went early without scoring.

Peter Day (14), Zwelibanzi Homani (19), Harrison Painter (10) and Will Langton (19) all nudged the home side along towards their meagre target and Smith struck the winning runs.

Marshfield took over at the head of affairs in the division as they held off a determined effort from Purton to win by 23 runs.

Wicketkeeper Jeremy Bond scored 102 of Marshfield’s 242-8, while Purton’s Santhosh Iyengar took 3-42.

Purton lost wickets steadily before a stand of 92 between Elijah Samuel (58) and Tom Whittaker (42) took them within range of the target.

However, Nic Badings (3-25) and three wickets for nine runs in 13 balls from Ben Gardner left them short.

Visitors Great Bedwyn inflicted more pain on basement boys Malmesbury and eased their own drop concerns with an 85-run victory.

Knocks of 60 from Casey Grocke, 44 from Richard Bosson and 46 from Nick Davies underpinned Bedwyn’s 263-7 as Brad Toseland took 3-30 for the home side.

Opener George Royle hit 71 in Malmesbury’s reply, but assistance was scarce and with Max Andrews taking 3-33, their innings was ended at 178.

Devizes remain hovering above the bottom two after they came out worst in a low-scoring clash against Westbury, who were dismissed for 107, Tom Grant and Joe Wookey each taking three wickets.

However, Devizes’ reply fared even worse, only Ben McGowen (11) and Tom Pike (22) reaching double figures as 5-21 from Andy Carroll and Richard Oakley’s 3-8 skittled them out for 66.

Calne remain just above Malmesbury following their 85-run loss to Swindon, who posted 200 all out, Douglas Baartman with an unbeaten 82.

Despite Jordan Butler’s 57, Calne were dismissed for 115 inside 25 overs, Jake Goodwin taking 6-20.