MATT Kidd’s heroic, unbeaten 42 at number nine helped Swindon edge over the line in their WEPL Glos/Wilts thriller at Tewkesbury.

Chasing a modest target of 156 for victory, after Kidd had taken three wickets to dismiss the hosts in 42 overs, Swindon stuttered in their reply as Marc Williamson, Jon Sore and Krishna Gopinath all got starts without going beyond 20.

In fact, only Kidd and Tewkesbury’s Jack Brixey - coincidentally also batting at nine for the home side - got beyond 22 out of all 22 players who took to the crease.

Kidd and Mike Wilson destroyed the Tewkesbury top order and only a late rearguard action, fronted by Brixey, prevented the home side from being embarrassed after their top five made just 24 runs between them.

Brixey scored 38 but Kidd went four better and anchored Swindon’s successful chase, with three fours and a maximum, as the visitors nudged their way to an important victory with nine overs to spare.

The victory leaves Swindon hot on the heels of league leaders Lechlade, who are nine points above the County Ground side, and second-placed Rockhampton, who are just six points in front.