DINTON travelled to Hale to take on Redlynch & Hale 3rd XI with one certainty - one team would open their winning account before the day was out.

Dinton won the toss and decided to bat first. It was Redlynch that made the early breakthrough, reducing their visitors to 56-5, Dominic Sell (1-18) and Jack Coburn (2- 45) both bowling wonderfully in opening spells. Mohammad Shoib and Arran Musselwhite, pictured inset, started the rebuilding process, adding 48 for the sixth wicket, Shoib being the dominant partner before he was LBW to Rhys Higgins for 37.

The Dinton tail wagged further as Steve Middlecote (22) added 68 for the next wicket with Musselwhite. The pair complemented each over well, Musselwhite hitting more boundaries but Middlecote kept the score board ticking with some intelligent running. But they tried it once too often when Middlecote was run out for 22.

The innings was soon over, Musselwhite the last man out for a defiant 43 as his side amassed 183, a total that seemed unlikely at one stage, Rhys Higgins finishing with 4-13.

The hosts’ reply got off to the worst possible start.

Simon Smith, looking to be positive from the start, took a quick single to cover but Shoib was up to the challenge, throwing the stumps down with Smith six inches short of his ground.

The innings never really recovered. Middlecote, who was having a fine all-round game, bowled well, taking 4-16 from his ten overs including six maidens. Graham Smith top scored for the hosts with 22 but when Rich Cridge (1-26) had him caught by Musselwhite for 22 the game as a contest was all but over.

Young Jack Colburn hit the ball cleanly towards the end of the innings for 15 but it was in vain as Redlynch & Hale were all out for 75, skipper Ian Coughin being the last man off Martin Stennings (2-19).

Musselwhite took his third good catch, this time at leg slip, and Nick Gale finished with 2-10.