Cricket: Captain Terry Duffin was full of praise for his players after they suffered their first defeat of the season and said they were simply beaten by the better team on the day.

Winsley remain top of the Wiltshire Division with three wins from their four games and were close to maintaining their perfect record.

After reducing Potterne to 56-4 the game looked theirs for the takings but a 177 run partnership between Chris Penhaligon and teenager Owen Alsop changed the course of the contest.

“I don’t think we did too badly,” said Duffin.

“It was quite important that we didn’t give up and were still trying to win the game right to the end.

“It was one of those games where it always could have gone either way depending on one or two overs.

“Their two batsmen who scored runs played really well. They saw the ball off early and when they started to play big shots, on a small field like theirs, the ball can fly anywhere.

“Their bowlers did very well too actually when we were batting, but it was a good, close game.”

Set 240 to win, three of Winsley’s top four gave themselves a start but failed to progress into the thirties and beyond.

In similar circumstances to the Potterne innings, a strong middle order partnership finally developed when in-form Giles Lunt and Giles Williams put on a 100 stand and got to within 60 runs of victory.

However 16-year-old Alsop was then re-introduced to the attack and removed both men in quick succession.

Number ten Simon Orchard, who earlier took 2-80, hit three fours in an aggressive final burst but his side fell 17 runs short of what was required.

“Giles Lunt is keeping up his performances quite consistently this season,” said a pleased Duffin.

“That was Giles Williams’ first innings of the season but it’s good for us to see a number six coming in and scoring runs. It just shows the depth in our team.

“There are still a hell of a lot of positives. A win would have been nice but I’m not too disappointed.”

Winsley host Great Bedwyn on Saturday.