Webber makes half-century as Redlynch & Hale triumph

After the visitors won the toss, openers Ian Tanner (23) and Dave Webber put 67 on the board before the former fell to a return catch by Usman Akram.

Nathan Pollard (35) kept things moving nicely before Webber feathered one to Greg Whiting for a well-made 55.

Several middle order cameos came and went before Pollard departed with 168 on the board.

However, the introduction of Dave Coyle put paid to full batting points as the latter returned 5-23 from seven overs to wind the innings up at 196 all out.

After the break, Ben Brown was in his usual reliable form as he accounted for the top three Sparsholt batters with just 47 accrued.

Brown returned fine figures of 3-20 from nine overs, before George Hayes bowled exceptionally well with 2-14.

This included the Sparsholt top scorer, Dave Banks (39), and opened up the tail for Andy Soutar to reap 4-18 as the visitors had no answers. Webber wrapped it all up to give the hosts a comfortable 59-run win.

Elsewhere, the club’s second XI had a close defeat at the hands of Over Wallop, who posted 124 with father and son pair Stan and Archie Boardman accounting for half the wickets between them.

However, although Nick Illman hit a powerful 24, wickets were falling steadily and when number 10 James Roberts (15) nicked a rash shot to the keeper, ecstatic scenes ensued as the jubilant home side were clearly delighted with the seven-run victory.

At Hatchet Green, Hale, Redlynch’s third XI had the unenviable task of chasing down 249 to win against Compton & Chandlers Ford thirds.

An unbeaten 127 from Neil Shelley and 68 from Calvin Cranmer took them close before the overs ran out, with the hosts agonisingly placed at 240-7 - just 10 runs short of victory.

Meanwhile, Redlynch’s ladies hardball side restricted Portsmouth who to 120 from their 25 overs, with Emily Otton bagging a brace.

In reply, Poppy Walker (pictured below) struck 12 fours in a splendid 56, falling just before the end as her side romped home in the 17th over. Flo Sharman was 23 not out at the end.

• FARLEY secured a sixth consecutive win against OTs and Romsey thirds, but the hosts made them work hard for it, writes Paul Roberts.

Skipper Marc Burton was delighted when OTs opted to bat first and quickly made use of the overhead conditions, grabbing three early wickets with his swing.

Sam Waters took the next two and when Geoff Ramsey struck in consecutive deliveries, OTs were 68-7.

However, even at this stage, there were signs of sharp bounce off a length on the East Tytherley track. Mark Allen had been a class apart for OTs, and began to accelerate, finding the fence regularly.

Sam Burton's extra pace did the trick, when Allen could not keep a short ball down, with Pratap Rai taking the catch. Allen made 67 out of a total of 110 all out.

Early boundaries in the reply gave Farley confidence, before OTs' bowlers responded in kind.

One lifter struck Ramsey on the chin, causing a brief stoppage in play for running repairs. While Ramsey rode his luck, Farley tottered to 69-6.

Waters joined Ramsey to add a rapid 38, and after Waters fell, the bloodied Ramsey finished things off, taking Farley home by three wickets.

Farley's second team were on the wrong end of a tight game at home to Totton and Eling thirds.

Having restricted the visitors to 146-9, with Jake Hand taking 4-26, a Harry Jenkins 57 meant Farley appeared well placed at 108-3.

But the lower order crumbled against some tight bowling as Farley finished 135 all out.