GREAT Bedwyn took charge of the title race in Division One of the Wiltshire Cricket League after they saw off nearest challengers Avebury by 30 runs.

Bedwyn posted a competitive 182 as Richard Bosson (46) top scored before the visitors fell short in reply.

Ben Smith (3-25), Nick Davies (3-38) and Jack Smith (3-26) all played a significant part in Bedwyn giving themselves a 23-point gap at the top.

Swindon 2nd fuelled hopes of survival thanks to a 52-run victory over fellow strugglers Winsley on Saturday.

A half-century from Tomas Foreman (50) pushed the home side up to 160 before they were all out.

Brothers Charlie (1-17) and Harry Chevis (3-13) combined well to reduce much of Winsley’s top order in the run chase and Swindon managed to close out the win four balls shy of 40 overs being completed.

Malmesbury won a thrilling affair with Beckington by six runs to also keep themselves ahead of the game in terms of staying in the top flight.

Michael Collison (79) got his team off to an excellent start as they made their way up to 209-7 from their 45 overs.

In reply, Beckington appeared to be making steady progress throughout before Jack Ward’s introduction helped curtail the run chase.

Ward claimed 4-35 as Beckington were bowled out six runs short on 203 with three balls remaining.

Corsham 2nd bagged a convincing 102-run success at home to Marlborough.

Sam Mitchell (67) top scored as Corsham made their way to a collective total of 256-4.

Mitchell Myatt picked up three wickets as a hat-trick of run-outs cost Marlborough the chance to generate momentum in their chase.

A century from each of Chippenham 2nd’s openers helped them ease to a 122-run victory over Nationwide House.

Geoff Prudhoe struck 107, while Aaron Merryweather was not far behind with 105.

Chippenham posted 291 before Merryweather then became chief tormentor with the ball.

His 3-39 helped constrict House to 169-9 from their allotted overs.

Division Two

SWINDON NALGO moved top of the table following a nail-biting victory at home to Goatacre 2nd.

Prashant Joshi top-scored with 73, while Harpreet Sethi chipped in with 55 to bump NALGO up to 238-9.

In reply, Goatacre made a steady start before Wahab Khalid (4-43) ensured Mark Atkinson (68no) would run out of partners just seven runs short of NALGO’s total on 231.

Swindon United Churches were also beneficiaries of a close-run finish as they defeated Box by six runs.

Stefan Bartlett finished agonisingly short of a century on 98 not out as Churches posted 222-5.

Half-centuries from Sam Plowright (55) and Rich Pandya (58) set Box on their way, but Bilal Hussain took three wickets and a run-out as Churches halted the Box charge with four balls left.

Division Three

BRADFORD-ON-AVON had Chris Thompson and Kit Chapman to thank as they secured a 10-run victory away at Chippenham 3rd.

Thompson (83) helped the visitors post 202-7 in their 45 overs before Chapman (4-29) dismissed much of Chippenham’s top order to give them a mountain to climb.

Timothy Dunford (64) and Ollie Rew (51) made the visitors sweat, but Bradford held their nerve to dismiss Chippenham for 192.

Keevil damaged White Horse’s chances of staying up after storming to a 120-run victory.

Simon Tyler (95) was dismissed just short of his century, but nonetheless, the home side still managed to reach 260.

White Horse struggled in reply as Keevil’s Simon Emmett ended with figures of 5-25 to help skittle the visitors for 140 in the 31st over.

Division Four

COMBE Down produced a superb bowling performance to see off Melksham by 176 runs.

Tom Hulbert (93) was stumped just short of a ton, but his team-mates rallied to reach 249-5 before Ian Corrick and Simon Elliman both took 4-13 on their way to reducing Melksham to 73 all out.

Wroughton Wranglers stayed in pursuit of the leaders following an 18-run win over Marlborough 2nd.

Division Five

LUKE Roche’s four wickets helped Purton 2nd to a 97-run win away at their Westbury counterparts.

Fraser Conway (73) and David Allen (57) led Purton to a score of 281 before Roche intervened with the ball after tea to bowl Westbury out for 184 as John Roberts top scored with 64.

Division Six

BLUNSDON suffered a heavy 90-run defeat when they played host to Swindon NALGO 2nd.

James Mundy took 5-49 but NALGO still his 232-7 as Shoayb Rahman hit 64, before the home side were dismissed for 142 after tea.