REDLYNCH and Hale secured a tenacious victory at South Newton to lift them into fourth spot in County 3 (North). And the back-to-back victories for Ian Tanner’s men have boosted their title hopes.

After being asked to bat first in humid conditions on what appeared to be a tricky looking wicket, Tanner and Tom Bayford (37) posted 97 before the latter was caught at the wicket. Glen Willoughby joined the captain and set about the Newton attack in his customary fashion, striking two fours and five sixes in a quickfire 44, before unbeaten cameos from Dave Webber (16) and Jon Hatchett (17) saw the visitors go into tea at a respectable 219-4.

However, the hosts started their run chase with gusto as Tim Lampert (16) and Dave Bell (31) brought up 51 in just ten overs. Ben Brown 10-3-25-2 accounted for both though and although Max Huntley dug in for a valuable 45, Kev Hopkins (10-2-3-24) and Stan Boardman (2-37) were well into the middle order, supported, once again, by some excellent catching from Webber, Hatchett, Hopkins and Bayford. Rhys Williams came on at the end and bagged the last pair in just one over as the hosts were halted on 146 all out.

Meanwhile, at Woodfalls Cross the 2nds were also asked to bat first when hosting Hyde II.

Ewan Tanner anchored the innings with a very patient 47, being run out with just five balls of the allocated overs remaining as his side advanced to 170-6.

John Dowding (36) and Brad Rouse (25) supported the young opener with an excellent 34 from Mickey Dean. For Hyde, Mike Mortimer was the pick of the bowlers with 2-29. However, the target proved to be not enough as Matt Cakebread hit ten fours and three sixes in an aggressive 83. Ably, supported by Mortimer (39no), helped the visitors romp home by seven wickets in the 30th over.

A similar fate was in store for the 3rd XI, who posted 205-4 at Wilton. Simon Smith (28) got things moving before Colin Eveleigh (60no) and Guy Lucus (41no) shared a stand of 98.

However, the home side, on their familiar artificial surface, were straight out of the traps with Sankavan’s 62. Then Chavan hit 11 sixes to register 117 not out as his side overhauled the target in just 21 overs.

Brighter news was distributed from the under 13s as they secured victory against previously unbeaten Totton & Eling who scored 129-2. Guy Lucus and Harry Northway both retired on 31 before, in an exciting finish, Harvey Boardman hit the winning runs with one ball to spare. The under 9s’ 251-5 was not enough to pass Winterslow, who advanced to 259-5.