Title hopes dashed by leaders
Box’s Wiltshire Cricket League Division 26 title hopes were all but ended by the slightest of margins after going down by one wicket against leaders Winsley.
Following a stuttering start, Jordan Welsby largely anchored the innings with his 63 but couldn’t find a long-term partner to build the innings with. Thirteen extras contributed the second highest tally of the Box total as they were bowled out for 150 with the penultimate ball of the innings.
Winsley largely kept up with the run rate, aided by 40 from opener Stuart Macdougall and 31 from James Call at six, but lost wickets regularly as Box tried to keep themselves in the title race. The visitors were able to reach the target in the penultimate over, hanging on to that final wicket for victory.
The wickets were shared around by George Elwell (2-28), Richard Foley (2-23), Jonny Pegler (2-45), Andy Hamilton (1-19), Dave Crawford (1-16) and Welsby (1-13). The defeat leaves Box 19 points behind Winsley, who will now be in a final match shoot-out at home to second placed Frome 2nd on Saturday. Box travel to fourth-placed Warminster 2nd who are nine points behind.
■ CORSHAM 3Rd have a remote chance of the Division 46 title, sitting 13 points off leaders Winsley 2nd in fourth. They closed to within a point of third-placed Spye Park after a 22-run victory in the penultimate match of the season.
Corsham batted first and, thanks to a century from Simon Crampton (106), an unbeaten 90 from Mark Hick and 66 from Ben Da Costa, reached an impressive 324-4 at the end of their innings. Despite a strong target, Spye Park weren’t too far behind the run rate and they were able to bat through their 45 overs.
T Horrell (3-82) performed best with the ball for Corsham, aided by Lily Day (2-66), Michael Myatt (1-34), Ethan Crayford (1-36) and Da Costa (1-33) as Spye finished on 302-9, 22 runs shy.
■ BATHFORD are 12 points of Division 66 leaders Malmesbury 2nd in third after closing the gap courtesy of a five wicket victory. Malmesbury batted first and were bowled out for 172 in the 42nd over. 72 from opener Oscar Wilson then put Bathford in great shape, alongside 23 from Thomas Walker, as 49 wayward extras helped the hosts reach the target in the 32nd over with five wickets in hand.