NICK Clarke provided the perfect anchor innings as Nationwide House returned only their second WEPL Wiltshire Division victory of the season over Great Bedwyn.

Clarke produced a well-timed, unbeaten hundred to help the works unit through to a seven-wicket victory at Pipers Way, with Bedwyn unable to defend their total of 246-8.

The opening batsman hit 105 not out from 136 balls, with eight fours, while his brother Jon made 40 and Anthony Pettifer an unbeaten 51, as Nationwide reached their target with nine balls to spare.

Earlier, having won the toss, Bedwyn elected to bat. When talisman Rob Palmer was caught behind by Luke Bradley-Leach off Mark Morris, Bedwyn were stuttering at 24-2, but John Palmer, Ashley Perry and Neil Maycock steadied the storm.

Perry hit 56 in 62 balls, before he was bowled by Joe Perkins, at which point Richard Bosson carved out 59 from 52 balls, as the visitors reached 246-8 from their 50 overs.

In reply, an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of exactly 100 from Anthony Pettifer and Nick Clarke saw House home.

Captain Russ Arkley said: “Nick has been in great form in the last two months and it’s great to see him back in the runs. His knock at the weekend was one of the best I have seen in the six years I have been at the club.

“It was a very good performance but we need to ensure we build on this for the remaining games to ensure our WEPL status.”