A BAD loss the week before meant that Langford’s outside chances of promotion were dependent on a strong performance. The returning Chris Miles won the toss and elected to bat first.

Simon Bailey and Adi Hughes got things moving and were both positive from the outset, running the quick singles.

Bailey was the first to go for 35 in the 18th over with the score on 93. This brought his son Sean to the wicket who, along with Hughes, eventually went for 29, with Hughes following shortly after for an excellent 74.

Joe McNeilly (19) and Jock Blackwood (33) maintained the pressure on the Laverstock bowling. Darren Harvey (11) had a swing at the end of the innings while Blackwood was run out by a direct hit from the boundary edge.

The Langford innings ended on 247 for 7.

Sean Bailey and Chris Miles opened the bowling looking to make quick inroads into the Laverstock batting. This they duly achieved, with Bailey taking 2 for 14 and Miles 3 for 13 both off five overs.

Dave Haugh replaced Miles to see whether the artificial wicket would take spin; it did, big time.

Haugh bowled with real control leaving the remaining Laverstock batsmen dumbfounded and groping for the ball. Figures of 2 for 10 off four overs didn’t really do him justice.

At the other end, 14-year-old Tom Complin got his first bowl for the second team and bowled a controlled line and length at a decent pace. He eventually got his reward by taking the last wicket.

Laverstock were dismissed for 52, leaving Langford with a comprehensive 195 run victory and the maximum 24 points.