REDLYNCH and Hale remain top of the Hampshire League County Two with a victory at Basingstoke and North Hants thirds.

Often a bogey team in the past, James Taylor knew it would be a tough game and driving through heavy rain to get there, it was amazing that the game took place in the dry.

Taylor won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first, with Ben Brown (1-20) and Kev Hopkins (1-37) charging in. Hopkins clean bowled Ethan Hawkes for 14, before Brown had Dave Price pouched by his skipper for a duck.

Andy Soutar (2-41) bowled Dubs Wood for 20 before Josh Weir started a recovery, digging in for a patient 47 before Soutar had him caught by Brown. Josh Coombs pushed the runs along but was run out on 45, with Taylor yet again the man involved.

Harvey Boardman, George Hayes and the captain all notched a victim as the innings ran out of overs on 201-8.

With opener Dave Webber dropping out due to the birth of his first child, Ian Tanner and Nathan Pollard started the reply.

Pollard could not get to grips with Coombes and was castled for a duck, but Charlie Everett, came to the fore again with an elegant 44, before Tanner was trapped in front for 31.

Useful runs from Soutar and Boardman at 25 apiece, kept up the momentum,but when both departed and Hopkins got a "goldie" it did not look quite so healthy at 149-6 with only six overs remaining and 53 needed.

However, cometh the hour, as they say, who else but Taylor himself , rescued his side with a belligerent 39 not out ably supported by Nick Illman (11 not out), with the former hitting a maximum to win the game with still nine balls remaining.

An exciting finish to an excellent game of cricket and five wins on the trot for the Woodfalls based outfit.

Meanwhile the clubs second string also enjoyed the taste of victory entertaining Shrewton II at Woodfalls Cross.

Shrewton posted total of 155-9, largely thanks to Wood (32) and Newbury (37) with Jack Cobern (3-18) and Dom Sell (3-42), doing most of the damage.

After a delay for rain, 10 overs were lost and the target reduced to 136.

Tom Bayford (16) and Ben Lindsay (34) got the side off to a good start and with Cobern smashing 40 in quick time, it became a formality as Ian Stevens (16 not out) and Archie Boardman (six not out) finished it off.

The thirds had no game and the fourths fixture against Bramshaw III was lost to the rain and a saturated pitch.