BURBAGE & Easton Royal captain David Cope paid tribute to his lower order’s spirited fightback as the Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders claimed their fourth win from their opening four games with a 50-run triumph over Dumbleton, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

Having made a steady start at 65-1, Burbage lost a handful of quick wickets and found themselves at 81-5 before brothers James (33) and Adam Lavis (39) helped steer the home side towards 200.

Tom Wallbridge struck a valuable 29 as Burbage finished their 50 overs on 212-9, and skipper Cope was delighted with the contribution of his tail-enders, stating they were the difference in the match.

He said: “It was another fantastic performance from the lads and a great fightback with the bat once we’d lost a cluster of wickets early on.

“I think we were around 50-1 and then 80-5, so it was good for the lower order to get us out of that hole with the bat.

“Credit to Adam and James Lavis, as well as Tom Wallbridge, for hanging around and putting some runs on the board for us.

“We could have quite easily imploded at that point and posted a low score, but those lads dug in, and at that point, every run mattered.”

Once Dumbleton had ventured out to bat, it was the bowling of Adam Lavis (3-24) and John Riekert (3-32) that did the damage for Burbage as they restricted their guests to 162 all out.

Cope is keen for his players to maintain their winning run, but knows the next few games will tough and insists he will find out a lot about the group in the coming weeks.

He said: “With the bowling, it was very tough up front.

“The pitch was fairly flat – it was a good batting deck – but the spinners came on and Johnny (Riekert), our overseas player, managed to build some pressure and take a few key wickets.

“Dumbleton’s opening batsman was the crucial wicket – we has him stumped – and that changed the game because he was going well.

“It’s been a good start to the season. We’re chuffed to have four wins from four, but we’ve got some tough games coming up.

“Hopefully, we can keep performing.”

Elsewhere, Biddestone beat Chippenham by 21 runs thanks to a magnificent 107 from Dominic Hendricks.

The home side posted 252-7 before Chippenham fell short in their reply.

Joe Breet scored 104 for Goatacre in their run chase away at Corsham, but still the visitors lost by 24 runs.

Corsham were bowled out for 224, but Breet’s heroics were not backed up by his team-mates as the Goats suffered their first league defeat.

A meek batting display from Trowbridge saw them defeated by 90 runs in their pursuit of Frocester’s 247-8. Tom Oakley top scored for Trowbridge with 36.