MARSHFIELD skipper Dan Watson reckons his side showed that they’re a force to be reckoned as they beat promotion-chasers Burbage & Easton Royal by six wickets last weekend.

The Marshfield bowling attack claimed the hosts’ first six wickets for just 39 runs before half-centuries from James Williams and Jeremy Bond drove the visitors to their third victory of the season so far.

Watson’s men are level on points with Great Bedwyn at the top of the Wiltshire Division table but the Marshfield captain isn’t getting carried away.

“It was a very good win and I think that it sends out a bit of a message to the other sides but I’m not going to start saying that we’re going to win the league or anything like that,” said Watson.

“A few players have come back to the club and the youngsters are a year older – it’s been an alright start for us.

“Burbage are a very good side. Winning the toss on a wet wicket was really important and we had them at 39-6 and took (Michael) Papps, which was a coup because he’s the main man for them.

“I think that James Williams got his score in nine overs and that really got us on our way to a good win.”

Marshfield’s bowlers had hosts Burbage in trouble early on, with only opener Sourish Mukherjee (41) offering up any resistance.

But Adam Lavis hit an unbeaten 47 as Tom Wallbridge’s side posted 154 as they were skittled with the final ball of their innings, with Tom Bright, William Johnson and Cameron Walker all claiming two wickets apiece.

Marshfield’s James Williams weighed in with 52 off just 29 balls whilst Bond (54 not out) and Johnson (29 not out) eased the visitors to 157-4 in just under 30 overs.

Elsewhere, Marlborough’s Ben Head put in a man-of-the-match performance as he starred in his side’s 92-run win over Winsley.

Tom Norris’ side were put in to bat first after losing the toss, with Winsley’s Simon Orchard (4-28) and Tom Walker (3-33) piling on the pressure but opener Head hit a knock of 72.

George Penfold chipped in with 22 as Marlborough posted 177-5 before Winsley’s run-chase was prevented from ever getting off the ground, with Head claiming five wickets for just 16 runs.

George Fox (3-37) was also effective with the ball as the visitors were all out for 85 early in the 29th over.

Marlborough captain Norris said: “The game was all about Ben Head. Hopefully we can go on a run now but we will need to take each game as it comes.”

Devizes were put to the sword by Trowbridge batsman Wes Marshall as they suffered a six-wicket defeat.

Skipper Joe Wookey hit 68 for his side, who were put in to bat first, but Jonathan Skull (26) made the only other significant contribution as Devizes were skittled to 159 in the penultimate over, with the hosts’ Rob Edington ending the afternoon with figures of 3-13.

Marshall then smacked an unbeaten 123 as Trowbridge cruised to 160-4 in the midway through the 32nd over.

There was also disappointment for Calne, who were downed by a six-wicket haul from Purton’s Tom Bowler.

Tom Richards (22) got Calne’s highest score whilst Sean Adams and Julian Kearney were both dismissed for 19 as Bowler claimed 6-25.

Dan Knight’s men all out for 103 early in the 41st over with the hosts’ Tom Fullalove also taking 3-22.

Bowler then hit an unbeaten 43 whilst Deepak Ramani chipped in with a knock 30 as Purton eased to 105-2 in the 20th over.

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