LECHLADE’S fight to avoid the drop from the West of England Premier League Prem 2 Glos/Wilts division took a step in the right direction on Saturday as they won their first league match of the season.

And it was a significant victory as they travelled to Trowbridge, who are down the wrong end of the table as well.

However, with Rockhampton scoring only their second victory of the season at home to Westbury and District, the fight for survival is extremely tight between the three clubs.

Lechlade’s victory means they are just two points behind the other teams above them with two clubs going down at the end of the season.

On Saturday, Freddie Martin lost the toss and Trowbridge elected to bat which in hindsight was probably fortunate for Lechlade.

Max Mortimer got a wicket in his first over as Benny Ellis took an excellent catch running back from slip, but then almost immediately the players retreated to the pavilion as heavy rain intervened.

When they returned the match had been reduced to 41 overs. Although Lechlade had to contend with a damp ball their bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals.

At 53-5, Mike Reynolds finally got Trowbridge moving with a run a ball 36 but wickets continued to fall thanks mainly to Simon Taylor (3-36) and Kiron Chakraborty who cleaned up the tail with 3-7.

With an early tea taken the match had been further reduced to 39 overs with Lechlade requiring 141 to win under the DLS system.

Lechlade found batting equally difficult with Trowbridge’s young attack causing the top order all sorts of problems. Openers James Palmer (8) and Chakraborty (12) were soon dismissed and when Gloucestershire all-rounder Jack Taylor nicked one behind for only four, it was beginning to look as though Lechlade were going to find 141 beyond them.

Mortimer (11) stayed briefly but then played an injudicious sweep and was adjudged LBW. Benny Ellis joined Brad Dial and the two dug in.

When Ellis was dropped at mid-wicket the game seemed to change.

Trowbridge inexplicably operated largely with a 7-2 offside field and the Lechlade batsmen started to exploit the large gaps on the leg side.

In the end, Lechlade got home easily with six overs to spare as Dial, who was the only batsman to look in no trouble, brought up his fifty with the winning boundary, ably supported by Ellis (39no).

Special mention should be made of Ellis who was relieved of the captaincy two weeks ago but has responded with great character and has contributed significantly with bat and ball in the last two games, not to mention some fine catches.