AFTER an opening weekend victory over Bedminster, Lechlade had to confront the realities of life in Prem One when they visited Corsham on Saturday.

Having been put into bat Corsham’s South African player Romano Esau came out all guns blazing and helped Corsham to 65 in only eight overs.

After Liam Smith bowled fellow opener, Esau was joined by Steve Bullen and together they set about building a large total.

However the introduction of skipper Freddie Martin (6-0-19-0) and Jock Jamieson Black 10-0-42-0) slowed the scoring rate and they were ably supported by Tom Young (10-1-39-1).

While none looked particularly threatening it did mean that by the time Esau was trapped LBW by Young, for a very impressive 103, Corsham had only reached 180 in 35 overs.

Bullen (70) was threatening to run riot but was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Tom Barnes off the bowling of Liam Smith who finished with figures of three for 45.

Helped by another brilliant one handed running catch on the boundary by Barnes Lechlade managed to restrict Corsham to 284-6.

Lechlade found it difficult to make progress against a tight bowling attack and by the time drinks were taken at 25 overs Breet, Young and Dial were back in the pavilion with only eighty on the board.

Martin (22) and Ellis (46) clearly had a chat at drinks and decided to put bat to ball, adding 43 in five overs.

A Lechlade victory began to look possible but after Martin hit a hard return catch to Foley three more wickets fell quickly and the game was up.

Liam Smith (17) supported Jock Jamieson Black as they added 80 in 11 overs enabling Lechlade to gain maximum batting points but never threatening the Corsham total.

They were eventually all out with two balls left, going down by 52 runs.

While well beaten there were some good points to come out of the game, not least the confirmation that they can compete at this level.

Lessons will need to be learned, and quickly, as they face League leaders Potterne at the Manor Ground next Saturday.