AFTER notching up two consecutive nine-wicket victories, Winsley came unstuck against Wiltshire Division leaders Lechlade.

Winsley had comprehensively beaten Purton and Nationwide House in their last two games but found it hard going in difficult conditions on Saturday.

Lechlade put the visitors into bat and opening batsmen Charlie Holton (2)and Tom Edwards (13) struggled on a very wet square. Rob Murphy then came in at four to score 64 runs off 102 balls, which put Winsley back incontention.

Giles Lunt scored a decent 44 not out, which gave Winsley a respectable 150 for seven from their 45 overs.

The pick of the bowlers for Lechlade was Tristan Hawkes, who took three for 30, which included the wicket of in-form Murphy.

Like Winsley, Lechlade's top order also struggled to make an impression and it seemed as though the game was slipping away from them as they languished on 45 for five, but all-rounder Hawkes came in to save his team with a fine effort of 41 runs off 63 balls, which included four fours and one six.

Chandana Pushpalal (27), Robert Howard (20) and Ross Jeffels (28) also chipped in to see Lechlade over the line with three overs remaining.

Murphy (2-27), Simon Orchard (2-41) and Peter Orchard (2-13) were the pickof the bowlers for the away side.

Winsley captain Andy Ellett said: "It was a big game at this point in the season with the top two teams going head-to-head but the conditions were far from ideal. It was very very wet and the square was absolutely sodden but both sides agreed to play the match.

"The game itself was tight. We lost the toss and we were put into bat and made 150 off 45 overs, which I would say is a par score.

"Rob Murphy batted very well. It was probably the best knock that I have seen him produce. Giles Lunt also batted well and got us to a respectable score.

"We looked certain favourites to win the game with seven or eight overs out but then three overs went away from us with a few nicks that went for fours past the wicketkeeper, but no one was to blame.

"It was disappointing to lose but we have to play all the teams around us again so our destiny is in our own hands and we are still very much in the mix."

Winsley drop one place to third in the league table after their defeat. Lechlade remain at the top with Malmesbury in second.

Winsley travel to Hinton Charterhouse tomorrow with batsmen Tom Edwards and Giles Hunt unavailable but Neil Harris and Giles Williams will come in toreplace them.

Ellett added: "We are confident going into Saturday's game. We were unfortunate to lose against Lechlade and despite the loss it was still astrong performance."