OPENER Marc Williamson racked up his first century of the season as Swindon stunned previous league leaders Rockhampton.

The three-wicket victory was Swindon’s sixth in their last eight games and they have hauled themselves into the race for the title, sitting 19 points behind new leaders Chippenham.

Centurion Williamson said: “We are very pleased with that result. It was a really good performance from the whole team and it was a really good win for us.

“Rockhampton have always been a very good team and the fact they have started the year the way they have shows that they’re just as strong as they always have been.”

Despite losing the toss, Swindon will be pleased with their efforts with the ball as they restricted Rockhampton to just 227-6 from their 50 overs. Matt Tyler top scored with 78.

Matt Kidd and Will Nichols took two wickets apiece but Williamson reserved special praise for debutant Conor Cleary (0-31) “Swindon can be a road at times and it was a bit like that on Saturday. The outfield was lightning and the track was really good, so we were really pleased to keep them down to that score,” said Williamson.

“The guys bowling first up did really well and that kept them behind the eight ball. Conor was making his first-team debut and his 10 overs went for 30 runs.

“He bowled all his overs at the top four, and Rockhampton have got some quality batsmen there, so that was a really good effort.”

Williamson was soon on the front foot as Swindon looked to chase down that total. He plundered a fine 113 and the home side were just 35 runs short of their target by the time he was dismissed.

Although several more late wickets went down, the efforts of Dean Williamson (31), Liam Tucker (22) and Kidd (18*) got Swindon over the line on 229-7.

Williamson added: “It was personally very pleasing. I have been getting in and getting out so far this season, so to go on and make a score was very satisfying.

“The main thing once someone gets in like that - which in this case was me - is that the other guys bat around him and that was the case on Saturday.”