LIAM Tucker’s unbeaten 95 was enough to help Swindon secure a narrow win over Apperley on Saturday.

After winning the toss Swindon skipper Andy Staff opted to bat and the visitors made a steady start as Marc Williamson, who was out for a golden duck last weekend, helped them to 90-2.

Swindon then suffered a mini collapse as their next three wickets fell for just 18 runs, but Tucker (95*) was able to steady the ship and help the visitors to a total of 254-8.

Apperley started well in their reply but were soon behind the required run-rate and despite the hosts having wickets in hand, the target soon became out of their reach as they finished just shy on 247-6.

“It was a good close game, pretty similar to the opening game of the season but this time we were able to come out on top,” said Staff.

“We got away to a good start but Marc Williamson fell and we lost a couple of wickets together and it was a case of rebuilding things.

“Liam Tucker came in and he batted all the way through and was superb.

“He was slow at the beginning to rebuild things but when he needed to push on he did so and gave us a decent total.

“We thought it was a good total and we knew we were still in a game and they had every chance of chasing it but we thought it was defendable and we bowled well as a unit.

“Adam Tucker was the stand out with ball bowling his spin and he gave us a bit of control in those middle overs which kept them at arm’s length and then they needed to go at 10 an over for the last four or five.”

Swindon will now face Purton in the Wiltshire Wallop T20 format tomorrow night.