WARMINSTER slipped to a second successive defeat after a disappointing batting collapse saw them beaten at home by Biddestone.

Tom Davie’s side were preparing themselves for a comfortable early finish to last weekend’s proceedings after putting up 86 for their first wicket, leaving themselves on course to reach their target of 162. But Biddestone roared back with the ball and left Warminster reeling as they stole the spoils.

“We were very disappointed after the game. We know it’s a match we should have won,” said skipper Davie.

“It was a superb bowling performance, we took wickets and held our catches all day. The first half of the game went really well.

“We totally backed ourselves to chase down 161 and looked in a good position to do so but unfortunately it didn’t quite work out come the end.”

The hosts won the toss and had plenty of early success after putting Biddestone in to bat first, leaving their visitors in a perilous position at 92-7.

Rory Cullinan was to the fore of the Warminster bowling efforts as he took 3-21 whilst John Powell and skipper Davie also claimed two wickets apiece.

But Dwaine Perry eventually reached 68 to give Biddestone some hope, with the visitors skittled for 161 in the 43rd over.

Davie added: “I think Rory is the best bowler in the league and the best bowler in Wiltshire.

“He’s been backed up well over the years and they set the benchmark for us, like they have done so many times before.”

Ankit Shastri (30) and Tom Davie (31) got Warminster off to a promising start but then the wickets began to tumble, with Biddestone’s Naeem Khan the chief antagonist as he finished the afternoon with fine figures of 5-29.

Perry also took 3-23 as the home side toiled and despite Desmond Kruger hitting 46, Warminster were dismissed for 158 in the 36th over.

“Myself and Ankit went out and played positively and scored freely. Things were moving along really nicely and we put on 86 for the first wicket,” said Davie.

“But from there we batted very poorly. We played some very bad shots and made some silly mistakes and gave our wickets away.

“We were under no pressure, that was the most frustrating thing. We should have been able to see it out.

“The most important thing after a result like that is to not let it affect you going forwards. We went out for a beer together afterwards to put it behind us and make sure we were all still in good spirits.”

Davie’s side have dropped down to third in the Glos/Wilts Division table and will go looking to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to county rivals Burbage & Easton Royal.

CORSHAM’S Premier One clash away at Bristol was cancelled without a ball being bowled.

Ashur Morrison’s men started the day just one point off top spot but have now slipped to third, 14 points adrift of leaders Taunton St Andrews.