WESTBURY remained in touch with the Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders after earning a 38-run victory against Cheltenham at the weekend.

Alex Senneck’s men won the toss and chose to bat first after warm weather in the morning dried up the dampness established by heavy rain earlier in the week.

Opener Remano Esau and Michael Coles put on 50 for the first wicket before Coles (17) departed after being caught off the bowling of George Pritchard.

Despite Esau (63) reaching his half-century and Sam Burdock (53) also passing 50, Westbury struggled to established any meaningful partnerships on a troublesome wicket as Senneck’s men were bowled out for 198 with four balls still remaining.

Josh Breed caused most of the damage for Cheltenham, returning with figures of 4-36 from 10 overs.

Wickets were shared around though in Cheltenham’s reply as Senneck, Richard Mills, Esau and Coles all proved successful at one point during their bowling efforts.

Despite Cheltenham opener Peter Woodland hitting 64, the hosts struggled for strength in depth and were soon bowled out for 160 – 39 runs short of their target.

Skipper Senneck said: “We performed well in the second half of the game and I thought we had a chance defending the total we posted.

“We did lose batting points, but we put a lot of pressure on Cheltenham and it earned us a big win.

“Despite the rain in the week, the pitch was decent enough and didn’t cause too many problems.”

The result left Westbury fifth in the Prem Two Glos/Wilts division, 28 points behind league leaders Thornbury but, after winning three of their opening five games, Senneck saysx his side have been unlucky so far not to pick up more league points.

He added: “It’s been a tricky season so far. We’ve won more games than we’ve lost but it could be different.

“Results could have easily swung different ways.”

Elsewhere in Prem Two Glos/Wilts, Trowbridge slipped to a four-run loss at Biddestone.

The hosts reached 220 before being bowled all out with an over to spare as Tom Weaver (4-36) starred with the ball.

Trowbridge’s situation didn’t look great when they lost five wickets before reaching 100, but an inspired knock by Sam Julyan brought the visitors within the grasp of an unlikely win.

But Julyan (83) was caught of the bowling of Naeem Khan with three balls remaining, relegating Trowbridge to a fine-margin loss.