Title down to the wire

From the archive, first published Wednesday 31st Aug 2005.

SWINDON'S challenge for the Glos/Wilts One title will go the wire after all the challengers managed wins on the penaultimate weekend. As Trowbridge and Goatacre claimed victories over Redmarley and Devizes respectively, Swindon saw off Lydney at home by 36 runs to maintain their bid.

Missing skipper John Baden and wicketkeeper Andy Staff and having lost earlier to Lydney, Swindon batted first and lost Darren Beasant before the score had reached 20.

However, Australian Darren Rourke was in fine form and, in partnership with Tim Barton, took the score on past 70.

A huge total was beckoning, but left-arm spinner Scott was introduced into the Lydney attack and removed Barton and then Will Nichols in quick succession.

But when Rourke was bowled for a fine 67 and Baker was caught at slip shortly afterwards the home side began to stutter.

However, Arran Dickinson, Paul Baden and Anthony Spencer rebuilt the innings until the former and latter fell with the total on 160.

Roger Willoughby and Mo Zohaib added 30 for the last wicket, taking Swindon on to 193 from their allotted 50 overs.

However, Nichols didn't disappoint with the ball, three quick wickets in a fine opening burst leaving Lydney reeling.

Opener Kear appeared to be edging the game Lydney's way and, with 17 overs remaining, they needed just 70 with six wickets remaining.

However, Zohaib managed to get Kear to hole out to Baden on the long-on boundary for a fine 74 and it proved decisive as a flurry of wickets then fell as Rourke and Zohaib ripped through the lower order.

Swindon pressed hard in search of all 10 wickets and full bowling points and finally got their reward when Beasant stumped the last batsman off Zohaib with just five balls left.

Zohaib was Swindon's star performer with 5-29 off 14.1 overs, while Nichols' opening burst of 3-30 was also influential.

The destiny of the title will be decided this weekend when the top four clubs play each other, Swindon travel to Goatacre, while Trowbridge visit fourth-placed Hatherley and Reddings.

All four have a mathematical chance of capturing the title with Swindon needing a victory and four points more than Trowbridge if they are to be crowned champions.

On Sunday, Swindon defeated Bath to become the inaugural West of England Trophy champions.

The trophy, contested by Swindon, Bath, Corsham, Chippenham, Malmesbury and Lansdown has replaced the old Classic Bat Cup in a round-robin format.

Swindon were unbeaten, seeing off an understrength Bath side in the final round.

They dismissed Bath for 143 and then knocked the runs off for the loss of three wickets. Mark Williamson top-scored with 71 not out.

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