REDLYNCH & Hale cricket club opened their 2016 campaign in style with a comfortable five-wicket away win at Compton & Chandlers Ford 2nd XI in Hampshire County 3 (North).

With big-hitting Glen Willoughby not available this year, skipper Ian Tanner welcomed back local man Matt Truckle, returning to his home club after several years away.

Dave Webber was soon in action, accounting for the top three with only 50 on the board. Kev Hopkins chipped in, trapping James Cox in front, before James Taylor got to work. The left armer had highest scorer Tom Lawrence (34) caught at the wicket, before going on to claim four more victims as he mopped things up with a splendid five for (5-32) Tom Emm announced his return from a lengthy injury, with the other wicket as the hosts slumped to 158 all out.

After the restart, Tanner and Webber got off to a determined start, carefully accumulating the runs, with little the home team could to stop them. Webber was castled by Joe Murray for a solid 40 and, while James Dorrington fell cheaply, Truckle edged his side closer to the wire with 28. When Tanner went for a dogged 38, the job was almost done. Jon Hatchett (17*) and Hopkins (13*) saw their side home easily to ensure the victory.

Meanwhile, in Regional league 2 (West) the club's 2nd string amassed 277-9 against Totton & Eling III at Woodfalls Cross.

Young 'keeper James Benson impressed with 94, with Ben Vincent (49) giving good support with useful knocks from Guy Lucas (29) and Dom Sell (25).

The thirds were undone by C. Jackson who bludgeoned 100 out of 117 as Wherewell 2nds advanced to 216 all out.

In the junior section, the Under-17s' (135-5) James Benson (50 ret) lost to OT's & Romsey by seven wickets.

The Under-15s, 129-5, Tom Reynolds 40 (ret), beat Calmore by 68 runs, while in the "pairs" game, the Under-11s scored 303-4 (Finn Coles 23) at Winterslow, who managed 238-4.