IAN Tanner and Dave Webber collated 171 runs between them at Old Basing, but it wasn’t enough to see Redlynch and Hale home in County Division Two.

Batting first, the pair both almost carried their bats as they enjoyed a 171-run stand. Both played cautiously and were finding boundaries hard to come by against the accurate home attack. Tanner was finally out for 76 in the 41st over when bowled by Greg Donaldson. Webber was agonisingly run out in the final over on 84 as the visitors recorded 206-2, not really capitalising on such a solid partnership.

In reply, the hosts were pacing their innings well as skipper Dan Belcher led the way with 49 before James Dorrington clung on to Reece Williams’ delivery.

Williams pounced twice more to return 3-38, but the batters were accelerating, keeping up the run rate.

Webber bagged a brace and James Taylor trapped Darren Turner in front for 24, but Rob Selwyn (27*) and Matt Donaldson saw their side home with four wickets in hand.

The club’s second string also found themselves in trouble at Woodfalls Cross, where visitors Shrewton took full advantage.

Mike Burton powered his way to 109, and with Mike Gurd (58) and Jason Plant (41) keeping the momentum going, a massive 294-6 was posted at tea. Sam Hatton was pick of the home bowling with 3-58. After losing early wickets and finding themselves at 50-4, veteran Micky Dean (55*) and Jack Cobern (75*) opted to accumulate batting points which they duly did, reaching 200-4,but falling well short of the target.

The third team’s woes continued at leaders Dorset Indians in Regional Division 4 (SW).

Thinking they had done well to bowl out the normally free-scoring home side for 187 with Michael Brown 3-52, Graham Smith’s team were simply blown away by two very good bowlers as Chandi 3-11 and Shandell 6-21 tore through the order for just 37.

In the junior section, the under-11s’ 77-2 overcame Bashley’s 76-10. Ben Wordley hit 15 not out and captured three wickets, with Archie Boardman scoring 18.