WARMINSTER moved a step nearer promotion on Saturday with an 83-run win over close rivals Redmarley.

With two matches remaining, the Wiltshire side now have a cushion at the top of the Gloucester and Wilts division one and one more win could be enough to guarantee higher league cricket next season.

This was their seventh consecutive victory after relegation last season and confidence is at an all time high as the season draws to an end.

After losing the toss, Warminster were put into bat and made a good start as Simon Webb and Dave Bateman enjoyed an opening partnership of 44 before Webb was caught out for 19.

The prolific Sean Maxwell then joined Bateman in the middle and the duo set about destroying Redmarley's bowling.

After hitting eight boundaries for an impressive 55, Bateman was dismissed to leave Warminster in control at 107-2.

Captain Mark Coxon-Tenty kept the pressure up and a 104 run third wicket partnership with Maxwell moved them on to 211-2 before Coxon-Tenty was caught out for 47.

With the help of the middle order batsmen, Maxwell continued to score steadily to finish on 95 not out as Warminster reached 268-5 off 50 overs.

In reply, Redmarley made a promising start as their openers moved them to 78-0 before Simon Webb caught one of them out off Coxon-Tenty's bowling.

The breakthrough sparked a dramatic collapse as Redmarley lost the next five wickets for just 25 runs to leave them in trouble at 103-6.

The tailenders put up a spirited fight but it was not enough to challenge the league leaders as they finished 83 runs short on 185-8.

Coxon-Tenty took four wickets for the loss of 49 runs off 13 overs while Tony Aylesbury picked up three wickets for 41 runs off 15 overs.

Warminster travel to Trowbridge tomorrow knowing a victory could clinch an immediate return to the Western Premier Division two.