SKIPPER David Cope scored a superb century as Burbage & Easton Royal claimed a fourth straight win in Premier Two Glos/Wilts, beating Westbury at home by 71 runs.

Having scored 141 of his side’s 286-8, Cope had put Burbage in a strong position, although victory was far from assured.

Brannon Varley (71) and James Hudson (57) kept the home side honest but Oliver Lavis and James Lavis picked up three wickets apiece to curtail the Westbury reply at 215 in the 44th over.

“It looks convincing in the end but it was touch and go. They were going well at one point, when Varley and Hudson were at the crease, and it was never cut and dry,” said Cope, whose side are third in the table.

“With the ball, it was about being disciplined. Westbury were always going to score runs because the pitch was so good. As a bowling unit, it was a team effort and they all chipped in.

“I’m chuffed with how we have started the season and now it’s important that we keep pushing on.

“I know how quickly it can change and any team can beat anyone else in this league. We just need to focus on ourselves and take each game as it comes.”

Cope’s huge personal score came off 132 balls, with 88 of his runs coming through boundaries.

The skipper set the tone for the innings with an opening partnership of 99 alongside Duncan Lorrain, while Alex Senneck led the Westbury attack with 3-40.

Cope added: “I’m very pleased, it was just my day. It was a decent track and I took the attack to the bowlers and this time it came off. It was good to contribute and make a decent score.

“It was a good foundation with Duncan up top. He compliments me well as we’re quite different players.

“I felt a score of 280-odd was about right and having runs on the board always helps create that scoreboard pressure when it’s the other team’s turn to bat.”

Next up for Burbage is a trip to county rivals Goatacre, who stayed second in the table courtesy of a narrow five-run win in a low-scoring contest away at Gloucester City Winget.

Opener Ross Dixie scored an unbeaten 51 but received little support as the Goats were bowled out for 119 inside 27 overs as Alex Nel took 4-18.

However, that still proved to be a winning score as Matthew House (5-29) and Benny Howell (4-37) ripped through the Gloucester line-up to dismiss them for 114.

Owen (4-36) and Stan Alsop (3-59) took seven wickets between them as Chippenham won by 22 runs at home to Rockhampton.

Captain Oli Jones made 61 as the home side posted 259-7, with the Alsops then cutting short the Rockhampton reply for 237, despite 77 from Will Tyler.

Biddestone were unable to complete a clean sweep for Wiltshire sides as their chase against Thornbury came up short by 20 runs.

Dwaine Perry took 4-23 as the Thorns were restricted to 214 and he then top scored with 46 in reply but Biddestone could not quite overhaul their target as they were all out for 194 in the final over.