SHREWTON must have felt they were in for a long afternoon in the field when Sam Bruin (79) and Graham Buckingham (58) opened up with a century-plus partnership for Hampshire League County Division 1 visitors Hook & Newnham Basics seconds.

Spin pair Chris Brewer (2-43) and Stu Cruse (1-32) managed to quieten things down and only Kevin Light (30) made his mark later in the innings as Hook, having reached a threatening 170-3, were dismissed for 225.

With Will Harries taking 4-14 and a fine run out off his own bowling, Shrewton regained the initiative. Richard Barnett (39) and Dan Bingley (28) got Shrewton’s reply going, but teenager Olly May took 3-42 to reduce them to 120-5.

Not wanting his earlier efforts to go to waste, Will Harries joined Cruse and struck a quick-fire 28 to bring Shrewton to within 20 of victory.

Consecutive boundaries from Cruse, who finished with 48 not out, put Shrews in sight of a three-wicket win, which they achieved with seven balls to spare.

NOMANSLAND did themselves no favours in their Regional Division Two (West) opener.

They failed to take advantage of a wicket that did all sorts for the entire match.

They conceded no fewer than 42 wides and no balls that not only gave their hosts 42

extra runs but in effect gave them an additional seven overs to bat.

East Christchurch took full advantage and posted a tea score that was too hard to catch.

Sam Dempser was undone by an unplayable lifter, and in contrast Gary Loveless was bowled with a shooter.

Apart from an aggressive 18 from Terry Harrison, the rest of the batting was blown away by the excellent openers, each picking up five wickets, seven clean bowled as the the visitors were dismissed for 44 all out.

Elsewhere, Steeple Langford made it double wins with a comfortable five-wicket victory at home to Mottisfont in County Division 4 North.