JAMES Williams hopes infectious enthusiasm can carry Marshfield all the way to WEPL Wiltshire glory as his side face a key three-week period in their campaign.

Saturday’s 145-run triumph over Great Bedwyn took the Broadleys’ men 20 points clear at the top of the table as the season enters the home straight with five matches to go.

Williams himself clubbed 124 from 89 deliveries as knocks from Dave Jenkins (52) and Russell Lodge (43) allowed the home side to declare on 304-7 in the 45th over against Bedwyn.

The visitors’ reply started well with John Palmer (41) and Casey Grocke (38) taking them past the 60 mark.

But led by Will Pascall (4-46) and Ben Gardner (3-22), Marshfield chipped away before finally ending the innings at 159 in the 43rd.

The leaders now face fellow title hopefuls Trowbridge, in-form Westbury and improving Swindon in the next three weeks and Williams reckons his side’s confidence could have a huge role to play.

“We’ve been a bit luckier this season because although we’ve still got a young side, we’ve got 14 or 15 players, all of whom can come in and do the job if needed,’’ he said.

“They all have a role in the team and the next three weeks are very big for us.

“We’re obviously confident and when you have a young side and confidence it’s infectious, so hopefully we can keep it going.’’ Marlborough’s promotion hopes suffered a dent as their four match unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of fellow hopefuls Westbury.

Home side Westbury were dismissed for a fairly modest 223 in the 49th over of their innings, skipper Alex Senneck getting 61 and Ben Whiting 38.

George Fox took 4-18 for the visitors but, despite a patient 46 from Harrison Painter, Marlborough’s reply fell 68 runs short.

Richard Oakley took 3-30 and there were two wickets each for Andy Carroll and Richard Mills to end the visitors’ innings at 155 in the final over.

Calne put further daylight between themselves and the bottom of the table as they wrapped up a four-wicket victory over struggling Devizes at Beversbrook.

Devizes’ hopes were damaged by their batting performance, having won the toss and decided to bat, as they only managed to amass 152 before being dismissed in the 47th over.

Opener Joe Wookey scored 27 but extras provided the lions’ share of the visitors’ total, with Calne serving up a total of 37, including 23 wides.

Sean Adams took 3-24 for the home side and there were a pair of wickets each for Joseph Clare and Bhodi Johnston.

Calne lost opener Thomas Clare and Johnston in quick succession with the score on 25, with opener Stuart Windsor (18) following soon afterwards.

But Adams hit 43 in 50 balls, including five fours and a couple of sixes as, aided by Pavraj Lochab (31), Calne got home in the 32nd over.

Malmesbury were unable to improve their own standing at the foot of the table despite posting a competitive 259-8 from their 50 overs against Purton.

A fifth-wicket stand of 103 between Jack Ward (68) and James Gaunt (83) formed the backbone of the home side’s total as Purton’s Xander Pitchers took 3-28.

However, Tom Whittaker’s unbeaten 100 and 88 in 71 balls from Tom Bowler proved more than adequate to get Purton to their target in the 43rd over.

Swindon were nine-wicket winners over Trowbridge.