UNDER-STRENGTH Nomansland and Winton seconds put on a good showing despite a number of absentees from both parties in Regional Division Two (West).

Sam Dempster juggled his batting order and elder statesmen Gary Loveless and Simon Smith opened up for the home side. They went along at five-an-over and the stand was eventually ended in the 14th over when Smith was bowled for 26 and the score was 74.

The score went on 102-1 in the 19th over, and a big score looked inevitable, but Winton showed why they are early leaders with excellent change bowling.

Carl Mason, Sam Dempster and Ian Loveless all reached double figures and shared in tidy stands with Gary Loveless, who went serenely on and reached his century in the final over before falling LBW for 107. Matt Ryan, Shahain Alam and Martin Seal each picked up two wickets in an impressive visiting attack.

Nomansland needed to pick up early wickets and did so leaving Winton on 31-2.

Harry Seal, who earlier bowled superbly with no reward, led the fightback in tandem with Chris Dobson and the pair added 72 in good time before Dobson was caught behind.

The Seal brothers, Harry and Dean, added a further 51 before three wickets fell for one run to give Nomansland hope. Harry was one of the three who departed for an excellent 70, but Skipper Zach Waters and 14-year-old Matt Ryan added a priceless 28, however, Waters perished near the end and Winton ended up winners by three wickets.