REDLYNCH and Hale continued to climb towards the top of County Division 3 North, with an emphatic victory over Steeple Langford.

Ian Tanner won the toss and had no hesitation going in to bat. Dave Webber (27) added 61 with the skipper before falling to Tom Bennett. Big hitting Glen Willoughby soon got going with another 50, including three huge maximums in a stand.

Tanner was cruising towards three figures when he was unexpectedly pouched by Tom Dennis, reaching 81 with 15 fours.

Willoughby went shortly after, Jon Hatchett anchored down and held the tail together with a fine unbeaten 36, as the innings reached 225 - 7 at the close.

Luke Stephens was the pick of the Langford attack with 3-26 from his 9 overs.

Steeple got off to an awful start as Adam McNeily was castled by Webber and Bennett's stumps were rearranged by Ryhs Williams' first ball.

Williams struck again quickly to make it 27-3, with Webber making further inroads to leave the visitors reeling at 41-5.

Williams returned 3-15 from his 7, whilst Webber notched 2-24. Chris Mundy battled hard for his 21 and skipper Martin Grierson held the tail together as he reached 31, before he was bowled by Kevin Hopkins (2-18 from 8). Once their skipper had gone, it was only a matter of time and with Willoughby striking at the end with 2-14, the visitors succumbed to 139 all out in 35.3 overs.

The victory puts Redlynch & hale third in the table as they go into next weeks match with Overton in high spirits.