HARD-working groundstaff at Dinton ensured their first team match with Hobos was played – and they secured victory.

Dinton won the toss and Ben Coombes decided to bowl first. Early inroads were made by Toby Allen (2-18) and Rich Pearce (1-17) to reduce Hobos to 11-2. Nalinda Somasiri (25) helped to add 61 for the third wicket. It was the introduction of spin from both ends that had Hobos in trouble as they limped from 72-2 to 105-9.

Leg spinner Rob Middlecote bowled with superb control to finish with 4-24. At the other end, his spin twin Lawrence Hannaford (3- 20) was also bowling well to restrict a powerful-looking Hobo.

While the wickets were falling, Jagath Rajapaksha stood firm with a defiant 42 before he was caught by Andy Coulson in the cover, his 200th catch of a long career.

The visitors were bowled out in the 41st over for 134.

Dinton’s reply started brightly with Lance Harwood (44) and Sam Allen (26) adding 67 for the first wicket, but three wickets in as many overs put Dinton on the back foot, with Kelum Watta (3-27) doing the damage.

At one point they found themselves 95-6 and their target was suddenly looking a long way off.

But thanks to Lawrence Hannaford and Rich Pearce (15 not out) steadying the ship with an important partnership of 41, they took their team past the winning post with five overs and four wickets to spare.

Dinton head to Andover on Saturday while the seconds host Penton.