WOEFUL batting cost Steeple Langford as they crashed to a 21-run defeat at Hursley Park.

Luke Stephens smacked 50 as Hursley suddenly posted 95 for 2.

But the introduction of Tom Bennett and skipper Andy Bennett took the pace off the ball and they skittled through the home side’s batting to dismiss them for 146.

In reply, the Bennetts opened the batting for Langford and looked comfortable putting on 38 in 10 overs before Andy was trapped before for 10.

Tom was then joined by Adam McNeilly and they put on 30 before he was caught in the deep in the 19th over for a fine 46. McNeilly went soon after for 12 and the away side then lost another four wickets for just nine runs.

The remaining wickets fell cheaply as Smith was left stranded on 18 not out and the innings capitulated to a disappointing 125 all out.