REDLYNCH and Hale moved into fourth in County Division 3 North after recording a 69-run victory over Steep.

But their start was far from plane-sailing after in-form opening pair Ian Tanner and Dave Webber amounted just 20 runs followed by the dismissals of Andy Soutar and Matt Truckle to leave the hosts reeling on 38-4.

However, James Benson and Rhys Williams rode their luck before getting themselves going and adding 112 for the fifth wicket. Williams hit eight fours and three maximums in a fine 63, while Benson cautiously accumulated at the other end. When Kelson (5-35) returned and had Williams caught by Dean Knight, it could have been ominous, but Nathan Pollard (19) supported well as Benson went on, striking 13 fours to be left agonisingly on 97 not out as Tom Mercer (5-60) ripped through the rest of the home side.

In reply, it was the Redlynch attack who had similar fortune as Ben Brown (3-22) and Webber (2-37) reduced Steep to 41-4. Dale Collins (45) and Alex Bone (42) shored up the middle order with a useful 30 from John Smith, but Kev Hopkins (1-38) and sting in the tail James Taylor (3-31) mopped up the lower order to leave the visitors well short on 161 all out.

Meanwhile, in Regional Division 2 West, the second string were at Beaulieu, who advanced to 122 all out thanks to three excellent catches from Jon Hatchett and great spells from Russ Church (3-25) and Will Hewlett (4-18). After the interval, Matt Pooley (4-24) made life uncomfortable, before Harvey Boardman (29) and father Stan (26) showed showed great application to overtake the target with three wickets in hand.