SHREWTON are off to a positive start in their quest for Hampshire League honours with a 24-run win at OTs & Romsey II.

Despite losing both openers early on, the Shrews were well-placed midway through the innings thanks to a 101 partnership for the third wicket between Sam Gillott (69) and Dan Bingley (57).

OTs fought back in the middle overs however, as Shrewton fell from 137-2 to 181-8 and were in danger of posting a sub-200 total.

Fortunately, the lower order pair of Dan Pownall (29) and Paul Clancy (11) combined well to take the innings into the final over when Shrewton were bowled out for 226.

The Shrewton bowling attack immediately showed its potency, with Dan Pownall (4-37) and Marcus Jenkins (2-21) both proving too much for the top order as OTs were reduced to 58-5.

But the game was far from as a loss of focus saw the Shrews spill four catches - Romsey recovering to 170-6 with around a run a ball needed in the last ten overs.

In danger of throwing away the win, the visitors regrouped at the final drinks break, with the spin of Chris Brewer removing key batsman Ian Woodall (73) before Pownall and Jenkins came back to tighten the screw.

The final wicket fell to a run-out, skipper Gillott hitting directly from the boundary to wrap up an opening day win for the first team for the first time in three seasons.