CALNE claimed a first victory of the season with a thrilling 39-run success away at Devizes.

However, that outcome looked a long shot during a catastrophic start for Dan Knight’s side, who at one point were in disarray at 30-7 in the face of excellent bowling from Courtney Earl (5-22).

Stuart Windsor was able to haul his side back into some sort of order as a battling 89 helped Calne reach 139 before they were all out.

Facing an uphill struggle, Calne got off to a dream start with the ball and Joseph Clare (3-14) removed Devizes opener Joe Wookey without a run being scored.

The home side soon began to find life just as tough with the bat, with only Ollie Cox (34) making any real impact as the efforts of Clare, Bhodi Johnston and Andrew Windsor (3-12) skittled Devizes out for 100 to hand Calne the most unlikely of wins.

Calne team manager Pete Knight said: “I have been playing cricket a long time but I don’t think I have ever been involved in a game like that before, it was unbelievable.

“At 2pm I was thinking it’s going to be all over by 3.30pm, are we even going to be here for tea?

“Stu batted brilliantly and we only really had two partnerships. To get up to 139, that was at least something to bowl at.

“The Devizes innings started just like ours, we got a wicket in the first over and they started falling quite regularly. Joe and Bhodi did fantastically opening the bowling.

“A lot of the glory has to go to Stu Windsor but it really was a whole team effort from where we were.

“Eight of our first 11 have come up through and played youth cricket at Calne. We are really proud of that fact and I am really proud of the way they played on Saturday.”

League leaders Marshfield continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a five-wicket win at Great Bedwyn.

Casey Grocke (54) and Richard Bosson (52) both hit half-centuries as Bedwyn posted 179-9, a total restricted by the efforts of Cameron Walker (4-50).

Marshfield opener Russell Lodge (74) then formed the backbone of the reply as the visitors eased past their target inside 38 overs, finishing on 132-5.

Zwelibanzi Homani hit a century for Marlborough but it could not prevent them going down by nine runs at home to Westbury & District.

Jared McDonald scored 83 and Daniel Gibbs an unbeaten 55 as Westbury posted 208-2, a total that Marlborough threatened to get near thanks to 110 not out from Homani but he did not get the required support as the reply ended on 199-9.

Finally, Malmesbury were beaten by five wickets away at Purton.

George Royal’s 75 helped Malmesbury to 178 all out, with Aaron Lee (3-24) and Imran Ashraf (3-37) impressing with the ball for Purton.

Tom Whittaker hit 55 in reply as Purton eased to their target, finishing on 182-5.