WARMINSTER made it three victories on the spin when they made light work of their run chase at home to bottom side Apperley, romping to a nine-wicket success.

The result - coupled with a surprise defeat for previous league leaders Rockhampton against Swindon - hauls them into the race for the title and they are now just two points adrift of new table-toppers Chippenham.

Apperley won the toss and elected to bat and that decision looked a good one as openers Rob Birch and James MacPherson made steady progress.

However, one those two were back in the pavilion, the visitors struggled to put any meaningful partnerships together.

Brandon Ward (3-46) and Ankit Shastri (3-24) terrorised the Apperley batting line-up and their innings eventually limped to a disappointing 140 all out in the 40th over.

Luke Smith and Jamie MacLaren were joint top scorers for Apperley with 27 each, although the latter remained unbeaten.

Warminster will have fancied their chances of chasing down that total after tea and opening pair Shastri and skipper Tom Davie took on the challenge with relish.

The duo had got well within sight of the Apperley total before their partnership was finally broken, with Shastri dismissed by Mark Williamson for 69.

That was as good as it got for the visitors, however, as number three Brandon Ward came to the crease to join Davie and the duo eased their way over the line with little trouble inside the 23rd over.

Skipper Davie finished unbeaten on 32, while Ward chipped in with 12.

Warminster will look to extend their winning sequence when they Bristol-based side Frenchay on Saturday.