PURTON captain Elliot Hill says that his side can be proud for the way they bounced back from last weekend’s agonising defeat to beat Great Bedwyn by seven wickets.

Having lost by one wicket with three balls to spare against title rivals Marshfield to all but end their own promotion hopes, Hill was delighted with his team’s character.

“It was a bitter pill to swallow against Marshfield, it was frustrating,” Hill said. “We talked during the week about not letting that match affect us.

“So to go out and put in a ruthless performance, pick up a good number of points to keep the pressure on Marshfield the lads can be very proud.”

Purton made early inroads to the Great Bedwyn batting on Saturday as Aaron Lee and Ed Holdaway claimed two wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 37-4.

The hosts continued to take wickets at regular intervals, and aside from a 43-ball 45 from Neil Maycock, Bedwyn showed little resistance to the Purton attack as they were dismissed for 110 in 32nd over with Akki Gomel wrapping up the final four wickets.

Although openers Gomel and Elijah Samuel went reasonably cheaply, Hill and Tom Bowler ensured steered Purton to the brink off victory before the latter was dismissed for 33.

Hill guided his side over the line in the 19th over as Purton go into the final two weeks of the campaign 26 points adrift of Marshfield.

“To be where we are is a great achievement,” Hill said. “When we came up we didn’t know what to expect.

“Of course, you always want to be top of the pile, but it doesn’t always happen that way.

“There have been times this year where we have been inconsistent, but whenever we have lost we have managed to pick up some big points and that is why we are second.

“We have got two weeks of the season left and we now have to kick on build for next season and not rest on our laurels.”