WARMINSTER lost ground in the race for the title after suffering a five-wicket defeat away at Gloucester City Winget.

Tom Davie’s men had headed into the weekend’s match just seven points off the pace set by leaders Chippenham but are now 21 points shy of top spot.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Warminster got off to a good start as openers Ankit Shastri (36) and Brandon Ward (31) shared a partnership of 74.

Although both fell in quick succession, the visitors swiftly rebuilt as Pete Hickerton led the way with a fine knock of 84 to take Warminster to the brink of the 200-mark alongside Desmond Kruger (52).

Although there were a flurry of late wickets, Warminster would still have been mighty pleased with their total of 264-7.

Alex Nel and Craig Collinson both took two wickets for Gloucester.

John Powell (2-30) made a couple of early breakthroughs for Warminster as the home side kicked off their reply but when Collinson came to the crease at 55-3, the game soon went away from the visitors.

Collinson plundered a devastating unbeaten 125 and, alongside Tom Collinson (47*), saw Gloucester past the winning line at 265-5 in the 48th over.

Graham Cuthbertson (2-38) and Ward were the other wicket-takers for the visitors.

Warminster now face a crunch clash in their bid for the title as they entertain second-in-the-table Rockhampton on Saturday.