WINSLEY’S Kevin Hendy thinks his side were simply beaten by the better team as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Purton last weekend.

Simon Orchard’s side saw their three-match winning run brought to an end as an unbeaten knock of 96 from visiting skipper Elliott Hill helped Purton seize victory at the Downs.

Winsley travel to local rivals Trowbridge tomorrow and Hendy is hoping his team ensure that there’s no hangover on derby day.

“We came up against a side that performed really well and were better on the day,” he said.

“Despite a good start from Charlie (Holton) and Jeremy (Smith), we probably came up 60 runs short on a very good batting track that had a bit of spin in it.

“It meant that their spinners could have a bit of success and then they batted with authority to get the score they needed.

“They were probably pleased to avenge the defeat that we inflicted on them up at their place earlier in the season and we’ve just got to forget about the result now.

“We always look forward to playing Trowbridge and we’ve got to go into that one playing the way that we had been doing for the last five weeks or so.”

Winsley opted to bat first and got into a rhythm thanks to Holton (88) and Smith (46), who put on 171 before they were dismissed.

James Lloyd (38) and Stuart Hammond (26) chipped in to add to the hosts’ total but Purton’s Aakarshit Gomel and Deepak Ramani both claimed three wickets each as Winsley were skittled for 238 in the final over. Purton’s Hill spearheaded his side’s run chase as he hit 16 fours whilst Gomel (48) and Tom Bowler (44) weighed in to help the visitors to 243-3 in just over 40 overs.

Elsewhere, Trowbridge slipped to a third straight defeat last weekend as they crumbled at Marlborough.

The hosts batted first, with George Fox (37 not out) top-scoring whilst Ben Head (31) and Mike Bush (28) contributed.

Wes Marshall and Pete Andrews both claimed two wickets each as the home side posted 190-7 but Trowbridge’s run chase never materialised, with only Marshall (26) hitting double figures.

Marlborough’s Head (4-13) and Fox (4-27) filled their boots as Alex Hart’s men were dismissed for a lowly 67 early in the 26th over.

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