Prior to Marlborough 3s home encounter against Lacock Steve Jones was awarded a cap for his 200th league appearance. A fantastic achievement from a club stalwart – richly deserved. Could the team put in a performance to match? Stand in captain Chandan Vaishnav lost the toss and Marlborough were put into bat. A steady start from openers Jones and Rohit Gurjar saw the “Trees” score 29 off ten overs before both were dismissed in quick succession. Niloy Saha was the aggressor in the second wicket partnership with Rob Atkinson before departing for 30 as Marlborough reached 74/3 off 22 overs. A stand of 45 between Atkinson and Vaishnav gave the innings momentum before the captain fell lbw for 15. Mohit Jaswal fell cheaply which brought Aiden Murphy to the crease. Atkinson and Murphy looked to give Marlborough the ascendancy. Murphy’s confidence grew as the innings progressed leaving the ball well outside off stump whilst striking powerfully down the ground. Atkinson was the perfect foil despatching any loose balls to the boundary and brought up a well made 50. The partnership of 95 ended when Murphy was dismissed for 37 a run short of his Marlborough best. Atkinson fell shortly after for an excellent 70 his top score of the season. The pair took full opportunity of the gaps in the field with Lacock only fielding nine players. Marlborough amassed 236-8 off their 45 overs their second highest total of the season. The “Trees” made early inroads in the Lacock innings with two wickets for Vaishnav and one for Stuart Williamson. The visitors were in peril at 40/5 after a double break through from Jaswal. Despite a brief recovery from the visitors the result was never in doubt and captain Vaishnav ended the contest with his third wicket. Lacock were bowled out for 137 culminating in a 99 run Marlborough victory.