A DISMAL batting performance saw Trowbridge surrender top spot as they were beaten by four wickets away at Marlborough.

That result, coupled with a win for new leaders Marshfield at Purton has seen Mikey Reynolds’ men fall to second in the table, 10 points off the pace.

Trowbridge were made to pay for an abject effort with the bat as they were skittled out for just 79 inside 20 overs.

The writing looked on the wall for the visitors when their top four batsmen were all back in the pavilion with just 24 runs on the board.

Skipper Reynolds and Tom Weaver then came together and were the only Trowbridge players to reach double figures as they saw the team to the 50 mark without further loss.

However, that was as good as it got for them as Paul Smith (5-8) removed both men and swiftly polished off the tail to leave Trowbridge a mountain to climb with the ball.

The visitors actually got off to a dream start as Brendan Louw dismissed Marlborough opener Nick Crabbe for a duck.

However, although Trowbridge continued to battle gamely and take wickets at regular intervals, the lowly total was always going to be impossible to defend and Marlborough edged over the line in the 30th over of their reply, finishing on 80-6.

Westbury & District were also restricted to a low total against Devizes but they still clung on to triumph by 41 runs.

Alex Senneck’s side were only able to set a total of 107 as Tom Grant and Joe Wookey claimed three wickets each for Devizes.

However, Westbury turned the screw when they got their hands on the ball and the efforts of Andy Carroll (5-21) saw Devizes skittled for just 66 in reply.