HEAVY rain the day before and over might meant both captains agreed on a late start on Saturday to allow the ground more time to dry out as Dinton played host to Totton III, writes RICH CRIDGE.

For the first time this season Dinton won the toss and decided to make use of what was a good looking pitch.

The host’s openers made a good start the 50 mark being passed in the 14th over.

But in very next the first wicket fell as Tom Patrick mis-timed a pull a pull of Jon Low (1-23) ad was caught at mid-wicket for 26.

From here run scoring became a more tricky business as the victors tighten their bowling. Ben Coombes past 50 yet again but he was out soon after caught in the gully of Lee Fitzpatrick (3-33) for 53.

Charlie Bedford at the over end was also bowling well picking up two wickets in is his eight overs. Dan Sycklemoore (33) provided some glue in the in middle for Dinton to help his side to 174-6 at the end of their innings.

A brief shower at tea cleared up quickly allowed the 2nd half of the game to start on time. Totton’s openers Jack Mellett (45) and Skikar Sharma (33) got their team of to the best possible start.

They played with in themselves not given any easy chances. Marc Cooper bowled without luck in his opening spell.

It took a run out in the 18th over with the score on 74 for the first wicket to fall.

Sycklemoore hit the stumps leaving the unlucky Sharma stranded.

Cooper (1-21) returned at the pavilion end and accounted for Mellett.

Totton needed 75 from 15 overs and every time Dinton bowled a good over Totton the clawed their way back with some lofty blows.

The game of cat and mouse continued until the end of the match as nine were needed for the final over.

Andy O’Neill (2-30) had the ball in hand. Gavin Egan who had batted well from the moment he came in took the pressure off himself straight away as he launched the ball for six off the first ball of the over.

The final three runs were scrambled in singles as the visitors sealed a six wicket success.

Dinton’s topsy-turvy season continued, although they will look back with frustration at missed opportunities they can take hart that their two defeats so far this season have been very close.

This Saturday, Dinton travel to third placed Collingbourne.