AN excellent fielding display at Woodfalls Cross from Redlynch & Hale 1XI pushed them into fifth spot as visitors Michelmersh & Timsbury were dismissed for just 102.

Prior to that, however, Ian Tanner's team had posted a useful 185. Tanner (34) and Tom Bayford (19) put on 55 for the first wicket before both fell without adding to the total.

Jack Vincent chipped in a cameo 15 and, with a typically hard 51 from Glen Willoughby, the pair added 66 runs. Steve Rhodes was helping his side keep a grip on the game though returning 5- 52.

However, the tail didn't really wag and, although Kev Hopkins smashed five fours towards the end, the innings petered out at 185.

After tea strike bowlers Ben Brown ((3-31) and Dave Webber (3-23) reduced Mersh to 16-5 at one point.

Lewis Allen did manage to give the score a little more respectability with a grafted 36 before Stan Boardman sent him on his way with a sharp return catch. In fact, catches were all being held with Tanner adopting a very attacking field to add pressure and Webber, Willoughby, James Taylor and Ben Vincent all pouched beauties. Hopkins bagged a brace (2-26) and the challenge was wrapped up nearly 15 overs in hand.

In Boscombe, however, unavailability took its toll for the club’s seconds in their Regional Div 2 (West) clash.

Fielding several young players from the junior section meant they were hard pushed to halt Kumar (65) and Gupta (65) running free, although George Hays, who plays for his club’s under 13s, accredited himself well, returning 3-29 as the home side finished on 231-5.

Nathan Pollard (27) and James Whitmarsh (34) got their side away, but wickets began to fall steadily with several players getting started but unable to push on. The reply stopped at 150 all out.

The depleted seconds had a knock-on effect on the third team during their meeting with Penton.

James Benson got his maiden half century in men's cricket as he moved to 72 and, with Graham Smith (38), the home side batted well to post 211-9.

However, after Richard Jenson smashed 26 from the first over, there was little the home attack could do to stop him as he went on to 140 not out, securing victory in just 24 overs.

The under 13s posted 149 all out at Trowbridge with three more wickets for Lucas. The visitors, though, were never quite up to the mark and, although Harvey Boardman hit his first 50, striking 11 fours in his 58, Redlynch fell 19 runs short of the target.