Lechlade are pride of Wiltshire (From This Is Wiltshire)

LECHLADE secured the Wiltshire Division title in style as they cruised to an eight wicket home victory over Wootton Bassett at the Manor Ground.

The home bowlers did the damage early on as they dismissed Bassett for only 63 runs as captain Paul Godding took five wickets, and they knocked off the runs with ease to claim the title at the end of a remarkable season.

The performance was enough for a 21-point victory, and after an anxious wait their title was confirmed as both Burbage & Easton Royal and Great Bedwyn were unable to catch them, much to the relief of coach Luke Sellars.

“It’s a relief it’s all over and we have achieved our goals in what has been a very difficult season with the weather. The boys have all worked really hard and fully deserve winning the title,” he said.

Captain Godding added: “I never doubted our ability to win this league and the boys have not let me down. They have all contributed at some point during the season and I am proud of every one of them.”

Lechlade won the toss and asked Bassett to bat first on a damp and tricky wicket, and got off to a flyer as Ali Killham ran out opener Harvey Cummins without facing a ball.

Sellers quickly followed up with the wicket of Sam Lawro for four as the visitors slumped to 9-2, before Darren Beasant and Steve Twine mounted a brief fightback before being dismissed for 12 and 11 respectively.

Godding skittled out the middle order as he took his five wickets for only 12 runs, before Sam Burdock stumped Robbie Pamphilion for 19 as the visitors were out for 63.

The Lechlade captain and Ross Jeffells opened the batting as the home side went in search of victory, and after Jeffells went for nine, Arran Dickinson came to the wicket and dispatched fours and sixes to the boundary to settle the nerves.

Lechlade looked to be cruising to success before Godding was caught off the bowling of Ali Wood, but Dickinson hit a big six off the next ball to secure the title.

After hearing other results had gone their way, chairman Paul Rowley said: “We set our stall out to win the league this year and have succeeded in spectacular fashion. All credit to captain, coach and players. I am proud to be chairman of this great club and this is just the beginning of a very bright future I am sure.”

Elsewhere in the division, Marlborough beat Marshfield by 102 runs, while Nationwide House lost by 56 runs at home to Great Bedwyn.