MARSHFIELD strengthened their grip on second place in WEPL Wiltshire with a thumping 240-run victory away at lowly Great Bedwyn.

Captain William Pascall scored an unbeaten century for the visiting side, although that effort was probably outshone by the magnificent 7-15 haul claimed by bowler Tom Clist.

Pascall smashed 113 not out and shared a brilliant 189-run second-wicket stand with Suffan Hassan (84) as Marshfield posted 291-3 before declaring in the 45th over.

Clist and Jeremy Bond (3-33) then had Bedwyn in all sorts of trouble as they began their reply, with the home side falling to 5-4 early on.

Neil Maycock was the only player to reach double figures before Clist ripped through the lower order to dismiss Bedwyn for just 51 inside 13 overs.

Marshfield are now 31 points clear of third-placed Warminster after they were beaten by six wickets at home to Marlborough.

Jack Berrisford hit 51 but Marlborough restricted their hosts to 169 all out before Peter Day (70 not out) and Harrison Painter (56) led the away side to victory in the 46th over of their reply, finishing on 173-4.

Devizes scored just 78 in their five-wicket defeat at home to Purton.

Santhosh Iyengar, Adam Woolford, Tom Bowler all took three wickets for Purton and although Devizes’ Tom Pike matched that haul, the visitors reached their lowly target in the 22nd over of the reply.

Calne remain bottom of the table after a nine-wicket drubbing away at champions elect Trowbridge.

The visitors were limited to 111 all out in 33 overs and although Calne’s Darren Holcombe took a wicket in the first over of Trowbridge’s reply, that was the only breakthrough they made.

Royal Wootton Bassett suffered a derby defeat as they lost by 66 runs at home to Swindon.

Liam Tucker hit 57 not out as Swindon scored 245-7 and the Bassett reply was cut short at 179 as Alex Kill took 5-20.