LECHLADE made the trip to Bridgwater on Saturday and were amazed when skipper Freddie Martin actually won the toss.

While the pitch looked sporty it was felt that it wouldn’t get any better so they decided to bat first.

Lechlade were once again depleted with injuries and holidays and were soon in trouble as Ryan Higgins went early.

However Joe Breet and Brad Dial dug in against some solid bowling from the home side.

First change, Chris Singleton, eventually had Breet (21) caught behind but James Palmer survived until drinks when Lechlade had struggled to 88-2.

Things quickly deteriorated after drinks as Singleton (10-1-18-) removed Palmer, Martin and Tom Young who was caught off a full toss.

Meanwhile Dial was not finding life easy but had made an accurate assessment of the pitch and had reached fifty off 95 balls.

The pitch was clearly not easy and anything around 200 was going to be a challenge.

Max Mortimer joined Dial and played a very intelligent innings, pushing the single as Dial eventually launched the attack.

When Dial fell for a match winning 95 the score had reached 177 and Mortimer (30no), with some inventive shots, managed to take the total to 201-8 after 50 overs.

Bridgwater realised they faced a challenge as Joe Breet had Barratt caught at first slip in his second over, but he then got the prized wicket of England U-19 George Bartlett well caught in the deep by Max Mortimer for only 11.

Dial caught Witts off Liam Smith but then a partnership of 54 between Halrahan and Singleton (12) looked to be putting Bridgwater in the driving seat.

However when Freddie Martin trapped his opposite number Merv Halrahan in front for a fluent 54 the game really changed and was brought to an abrupt and early finish.

Tom Young ripped out the middle order with four wickets for two runs in 11 balls and left his skipper to mop up the tail with a spell of 4.1-2-2-3.

Bowling out Bridgwater for only 116 earned Lechlade a further two bonus points which might yet prove crucial as there are now only 17 points covering third to 9th.

The table is getting more competitive by the week as with three games to go Lechlade will need at least one more win, maybe two, to be sure of maintaining their Prem One status, although, a good finish could see them finish third.