Wiltshire CCL Div Two

Biddestone II Did not bat

Swindon United Churches 208-7

SWINDON United Churches had to settle for an abandonment and eight points at Biddestone's 2nd XI on Saturday as the wet weather eventually won the day.

The match was finely poised when the heavy rain fell, with Churches having posted a useful score of 208-7 from their 45 overs.

Captain Richard Martin lost the toss and was asked to bat first.

He was pleased that the Churches top order avoided a repeat of the disastrous start they suffered at Bradford-on-Avon just two weeks previously. Openers Matt Runkel (55 from 64 balls) and Jimmy Mann (17) got Churches off to a fast start before Mann was well caught at backward point.

Danny Hunt (25) joined Runkel at the crease and the pair made a 50 partnership to consolidate the good start.

Hunt and Runkel fell in quick succession to leave Churches on 105-3 but Chris Gilchrist (54) and Liam Brooks (23) ensured that the innings didn’t unravel. Gilchrist was particularly severe against the spinners once he got going, bludgeoning a number of mammoth sixes straight and on the leg side.

A mixture of strong hitting and intelligent running from the last batting pair of Richard Martin (10 not out) and Tom Burford (8no) meant that Churches passed the 200 for maximum batting points.

For Biddestone's 2nd XI, Rob Horn (2-29) and James Howells (2-24) both bowled tightly, claiming four of the seven wickets to fall in the Churches innings.

It was a real shame that the match couldn’t be played to a conclusion when the rain appeared but Churches will be pleased with their efforts against their second-placed hosts.

Churches remain ninth in Division Two and welcome leaders Winsley to Sevenhampton on Saturday.