RELEGATION is staring Swindon in the face after they were thrashed by Trowbridge.

Despite a fine innings by Matt Baker, Swindon were beaten by nine wickets in their Glos/Wilts League Division 1 game at Trowbridge

Having won the toss, Swindon skipper Will Nichols elected to bat on a green-looking pitch, which offered considerable early assistance to the Trowbridge attack.

South African Burger in particular troubled the Swindon openers and he found an early breakthrough in forcing Swindon's Aussie import Brett Sydney-Smith to play a ball on to his stumps.

The in-form John Baden joined Darren Beasant at the wicket and the pair did their best to weather the early storm, but Baden was caught behind off left arm spinner Beel, and Swindon were struggling at 30-2.

Baker replaced Baden and by manouvering the balls around and running well between the wickets he and Beasant tried to begin to build some impetus.

Trowbridge rang the changes in an attempt to find another breakthrough, but with Baker dominating the attack and Beasant particularly strong through the leg side, Swindon slowly began to accelerate.

Beasant was finally dismissed for a hard fought 44, as Swindon reached 100-2 off 30 overs.

Nichols joined Baker at the crease and the two immediately took the game to their hosts. With the score now rattling along at more than six runs per over, Swindon were hopeful of achieving a total in excess of 250.

Unfortunately, with Nichols falling for a fine 44, the scoring rate dropped, and despite Baker's best efforts Swindon had to be content with 238 from their allotted 50 overs, with Baker falling shortly before the end for an excellent 88.

Swindon desperately needed an early breakthrough, and the new ball pairing of Khan and skipper Nichols, bowling for the first time since dislocating his shoulder, were accurate without too much penetration, and Trowbridge had reached 28-0 after 10 overs.

Left-arm spinner Stoddard was introduced, and the Trowbridge openers immedately went after him.

Willoughby had replaced Nichols, and gave Swindon the breakthrough they needed with a fine yorker.

Burger joined veteran opener Des Gingell and the scoring rate immediately increased as both played some glorious strokes, with only Willoughby able to offer some kind of control.

During the next 20 overs Nichols rang the changes in an attempt to find a breakthrough, but the Trowbridge pairing played faultlessly and raced to the Swindon score of 238 with three overs to spare.

Gingell hit the wining runs to complete a well-deserved century, and Burger finishing undefeated on 90.

With two games remaining, Swindon must beat the two sides directly below them in the table, Wootton Bassett and Hatherley, to have a chance of avoiding the dreaded drop.