LECHLADE emerged as comfortable winners over Avebury in the Village Knockout Cup area final battle on Sunday between the two in-form Wiltshire League teams.

Both sides were confident of a win after both beating teams from a league above them in the previous round.

For the Lechlade hosts, captain Paul Rowley lost another toss, and Avebury chose to bat on a good track in hot conditions.

The visitors started at a good tempo of four an over for the first dozen or so overs, but aggressive fielding saw wickets falling, and while both D Fry (13) and H Fry (22) started well, they failed to cash in.

In the middle third of the innings, the run rate fell to two an over as the bowlers shared the wickets.

There was a superb caught-and- bowled by Anthony Pettier and Ejaz Khan took 2-12 off nine overs.

It was left to a few lusty blows by the tail to push the Avebury innings to 123 all out.

After a hearty tea, the Lechlade batsmen attacked the total with relish, and despite an early setback, Matt Coe settled into an unaccustomed anchor role (37no).

And it was Rizwan Hussan (32) and skipper Paul Rowley (39no), with a long awaited promotion to no four, who finished off the task in style inside 23 overs for an eight-wicket win.

Lechlade now travel to meet the winners of the Cornish section in the first of the national rounds.

Lechladde's good League run came to an end away to an in-form Wootton Bassett on a hot and sunny Saturday.

Bassett asked the visitors to bat, and the Lechlade batsmen struggled against the left arm in-swing of Lancaster (3-34) and the away-swing of Chahal 4-35.

They were well supported by some fine catching, two great slip catches by Ray Patel, who used to lock horns with Lechlade in his Nalgo days, and a great caught-and-bowled by Chahal.

At 54-5, Lechlade were on the rack, but with time, and a deep batting order it was time to dig deep.

Anthony Pettifer (36) marshalled the middle of the innings, but found wickets falling all around before being bowled by Lancaster.

Faheem Khan, who started getting into his stride, and Simon Forster put on an important 53 for the ninth wicket.

And thanks to a well-compiled 47no by Faheem, Lechlade closed on 172-9.

Bassett started well and despite some quick bowling by Bambrick, they moved to well paced 94 before skipper Steve Twine was out for 45.

Lechlade pushed on seeing a chance to put on some pressure and Luckens fell for 42 as the spin of Ejaz Khan 2-29 and Anthony Pettifer 3-57 brought Lechlade back into the game.

When Lechlade brought back the pace men of Bambrick and God-ding, Jahal (28), who had supported the youngsters, fell to a slip catch and tensions rose.

But good batting by Millington and 16-year-old Sam Lawro took Bassett towards victory.

In the end, Lechlade lost to side who were always just in front, but both teams enjoyed a real competitive game, and Lechlade fought well to pick up eight points in defeat.

Lechlade entertain Calne this Saturday at the mid-way point of the season.