WINTERBOURNE strolled to an 81-run victory over thirdplaced Sherfield on Loddon in their latest Regional Division One North clash.

The Winterbourne openers of Jamie Harvey and Matt Windows found life relatively easy early on thanks to a series of wides which gifted Winterbourne the perfect start. After seven overs the score was 44 without loss.

The introduction of Nixon and Grant into the attack slowed the run rate as the score moved to 84 from 17 overs. Windows was then run out by a direct hit for 30 and Ed Dadd joined Harvey as the pair looked to push on.

Gibson was brought into the attack but lasted only 2.4 overs before pulling his groin, leaving Sherfield looking around for another bowler.

House, who came on to replace Gibson, immediately had Dadd caught at backward square leg for 11. Following the drinks break Harvey started to up the run rate with a series of boundaries and captain Matt Newman chipped in with a couple of fours in a 46 run partnership.

Harvey was then bowled for 79, with the score on 171 from 31 overs.

Craig Johnson, making his first appearance of the summer, joined Newman and the pair took the score to 213 from 38 overs. When Newman was stumped for 35, Johnson hit out in the final four overs, hitting a huge six and multiple boundaries to launch the score up to 256-4 from 42 overs. Winterbourne got off to the perfect start in the field, with Nick Lawrence taking a wicket in his first over.

Harry Hart bowled a good opening spell at the other end, conceding just 13 runs from 5 overs and picking up the wicket of Wilson for six.

Lawrence picked up another wicket in his fourth over to leave the visitors in trouble on 18-3.

At the other end, Ed Dadd was unusually off colour, struggling to find his usual length and went for 35 runs in a four over spell.

This took the score to 91-4 at drinks with the dangerous Grant falling for 31 just before the break.

Winterbourne were now back in control and when Joe Cunningham replaced Dadd, the game was all but over as he bowled an excellent spell of 8 overs 2-19.

Some late hitting from Wallis, who ended up on 49 not out, saw the visitors reach 175-8 at the end of their 42 overs but Winterbourne ran out clear winners.

Meanwhile, Winterbourne seconds enjoyed a narrow three-run victory over Knights Valley.