CHIPPENHAM skipper Lee Ward believes back-to-back derbies have lit the fire under his side’s league campaign.

The Hardenhuish Park men’s revival in the Glos/Wilts Division continued as they surprised promotion-contending neighbours Biddestone by 15 runs on Saturday.

Chippenham were languishing in the bottom two before the past two weeks’ clashes against Westbury and Saturday’s opponents, but two wins have moved them out of the drop zone.

Ward said: “We’ve picked up a bit of momentum in the last two matches and it’s good.

“This was quite similar to the Westbury game in that it was a really good team performance.

“Lots of different people chipped in and that’s what has won it for us. It shows what happens when the team pulls together.’’

The home side made 193-7 from their 50 overs, skipper Ward leading the way with 44, Will Couzens scoring 30 and Aaron Merryweather 27.

Naeem Khan claimed four wickets for Biddestone, with Chris Baker, Dwaine Perry and Niel Bredenkamp bagging a victim each.

Opener Robbie Foston scored 46 for the visitors in the reply, but only Andy Flynn (27) and Stuart Kingwell (21) were able to add significant further contributions.

George Read took 5-46 and there were two wickets each for Craig Fry and Ward as Biddestone were all out for 178.

Ward said: “The big difference has been in our fielding – every one of our players was on the ball, turning twos into singles and singles into dot balls. That kept building pressure.

“We’ve had two wins against local sides and it’s about having consistency and momentum now and hopefully we can kick on from this and move up the table.’’

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