CORSHAM skipper Tom Foley reflected on his side’s Premier Two Glos/Wilts campaign with a touch of wishful thinking, following a convincing six-wicket final day victory over Dumbleton.

Saturday’s win was Corsham’s ninth of the season and ensured Foley’s troops ended the season fourth in the table.

However having suffered three losses in their opening five games, 2018 was perhaps a year of ‘what could have been’ for Corsham – although Foley insists he was more than pleased with his side’s efforts throughout the summer.

He said: “Earning nine wins and two ties isn’t too bad really, especially after losing three of the first five games.

“Overall, we’re very pleased. There was big change for us after last season with players leaving – and I think that didn’t help our slow start.

“We were still rebuilding and everyone was still getting to know each other.

“Thankfully we gelled and got the basics right, which was good, and we ended up beating both Cheltenham and Thornbury, who finished first and second. We really weren’t that far away from being contenders.”

Corsham’s concluding fixture of the season started in steady fashion as Dumbleton’s top five batsmen recorded 130 runs between them after opting to bat first upon winning the toss.

But only Kyle Hodnett could pass double figures in the Dumbleton tail as Corsham pegged the visitors back to 218.

Openers Tom Smith (0) and Martin Roberts (one) fell cheaply in reply, but half-centuries for Sam Collier (82 not out), Richard Foley (52) and Adam Mitchell (50) rescued the situation as they reached their target with 10 overs to spare.

“We were lucky to drag them back to the score they posted,” said Foley.

“Sam Collier batted really well, he was well-supported by Richard Foley and Adam Mitchell – it made for a nice chase in the end.

“Once there’s a bit of confidence in the team, you can find yourself in a good place in this league.

“Had we been competing earlier in the season, we would have finished a bit higher. But that’s wishful thinking.

“Hopefully we can sort things out in time for next season and push again. You never know in this league, you have to take things game by game.”

Elsewhere, Westbury were unable to avoid a bottom-two finish and likely relegation after rounding off their season with a five-wicket defeat at home to Biddestone.

The hosts were made to pay for a poor batting display as they were bowled out for just 108 after 36 overs.

Only four Westbury batsmen reached double figures as Tyrone Isitt and Luke Panes led the Biddestone attack with three wickets each.

Although Dan Gill attempted to make the game close after tea and returned fine figures of 4-23, Biddestone needed less than 14 overs of their reply to reach a winning 109-5.

Trowbridge also suffered a final-day defeat after going down by 41 runs at champions Cheltenham, although safely finished clear of the bottom three.

Opener Kieran Smith scored 104 of Cheltenham’s 258-7, with Mike Reynolds the pick of the Trowbridge attack by taking 3-64.

Reynolds then came to the fore with the bat by scoring a resilient 75, although it was not enough to prevent Trowbridge being bowled out for 217 as Josh Breed took 5-33 with the ball.