BIDDESTONE claimed the bragging rights over Chippenham at the weekend as they defeated their hosts by seven wickets.

Having lost the toss, it was looking like it was going to be a long day in the field for Biddestone at Hardenhuish Park as the hosts’ openers, Billy Cookson and Oliver Jones, racked up the runs.

“It was looking like it was going to be a 300-plus chase for us at that stage,” said Bidddestone skipper Andy Flynn.

“But when we brought on Chris Baker he dragged it back for us and the spinners made a massive difference.”

However, once Baker had Cookson caught behind by David Comport for 37, Biddestone quickly reduced Chippenham from 97-0 to 108-3.

Owen Alsop (39) and home skipper Brad Dawson (30) shared a fourth-wicket stand of 74 to swing the momentum back in Chippenham’s favour.

But once Naeem Khan (3-52) rearranged Alsop’s stumps to make the score 182-4, the hosts collapsed to 226 all out with Baker finishing with 5-54.

Biddestone made steady progress in their reply as Baker and Tim Knight shared a 75-run opening wicket partnership.

Dawson, who was the fifth bowler used by the hosts, then came on to make the breakthrough and trapped Baker leg before for a watchful 51-ball 26.

Knight and George Linde took the score from 75-1 to 207-2 before the latter fell for a 50-ball 67 and when the opener was run out by Todd Richardson for 86 the visitors were all but home at 221-3, leaving Comport and Flynn to score the winning runs.

“We are not very good at chasing, I usually look for us to bat first,” the victorious captain added. “Tim and our overseas George Linde made it look comfortable on what was a two-paced wicket.”

Goatacre were unable to close the gap on the leading group on Saturday as they fell to an eight-wicket home loss against title-chasing Cheltenham.

Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Jon and Ed Wilkins helped the Goats recover from the early loss of Kevin Iles as they shared a 92-run second-wicket stand.

Once Jon Wilkins had fallen for 52 to leave the hosts 97-2, Jack Haines joined Ed Wilkins at the crease and, while Haines blasted his way to a 64-ball 78, wickets fell around him.

The hosts, who had fallen to from 219-4 to 235-8, saw a wag from their tail as Dan Wiseman and Giorgio Rigali helped them to 276 all out.

However, Cheltenham made light work of the chase and never got out of second gear with them securing victory in the 46th over, Kieran Smith hitting an unbeaten 120 for the Gloucestershire side.

Burbage & Easton Royal strolled past Warminster in their clash, James Lavis taking 3-39 and Tom Wallbridge, Oliver Lavis and Darran Freegard taking two wickets each to dismiss Warminster for 159 in 41 overs, despite Pete Hickerton’s 93.

The visitors eased to the target as openers Jonathan Chandler (54 not out) and skipper David Cope (87 not out off 78 balls) took them to victory in 28 overs.