AFTER last week’s sudden blip, Redlynch & Hale can picture a place in County Division 2 next season after getting back in the promotion mix with an excellent win at Hursley Park II.

W i t h R e d l y n c h choosing to bat, Rhys Williams got things away solidly before falling to Matt Musgrove for 11.

Dave Webber (27) and captain Ian Tanner, inset, added 66 for the second wicket.

Then, Glen Willoughby joined Tanner and the pair put on another 61 runs until the former was castled by Tom Burns for 36.

Burns made it twoin- two as Ben Vincent succumbed first ball, but Kev Hopkins (32no) shared an unbroken 62 partnership with Tanner, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 94, batting for nearly three hours as his side posted 235-4.

After the interval, Park fairly bolted out of the traps as Will Evans set out his stall with some big hitting right from the start and, despite Joe Theobold falling early on to Ben Brown, he added 77 with Robin Lutman, who was bowled by James Taylor to slow the run chase at 105-2 in just 16 overs. Then came the prize wicket of Evans who had reached 69 in quick time, adjudged LBW to Willoughby, to the relief of the visitors.

Home captain Andy Savage (26) threatened to turn the tables again though, as he and Palmer added another 42 runs, before the introduction of Williams swung the pendulum back towards the visitors.

Williams stopped both players to leave Hursley Park on 155-5. That proved to be the turning point though as Park capitulated, losing four wickets in six balls to Dave Webber, who finished with 4- 32. Williams with 2-19 and Brown 2-27 were the other successful bowlers as Park slumped to 186 all out.

The second fold also secured a win, which should ensure their safety in Regional Div 2 (West) as they overcame Calmore 3rd XI at Woodfalls Cross.

The visitors were restricted to 131 all out in just 30 overs with Tom Barrett (3-43) and a brace for Michael Brown, Jack Cobern and Micky Dean. Sam Hatton then struck an aggressive 55 before holing out and Ben Lindsay was left on 50 not out as the target was overhauled with eight wickets in hand.

However, the third’s woes continued at the wrong end of the table.

They met a full strength Knights Valley and were dismissed for a lowly 67. James Benson again top scored, with 28, and Kev Ridley took 4-23.