REDLYNCH and Hale first team slipped to third in the Hampshire County Division Two table after losing its unbeaten record on the road at Steep.

It really was a case of what might have been as James Taylor's decision to field first seemed right on the money with the hosts adrift on 54-4 following Kev Hopkins (2-18) and Dave Webber getting amongst them.

However, despite Ben Brown sending down nine overs for just 12, it was Greg Turner, in at number six, who turned the game around.

He hit12 fours and four maximums in an unbeaten 102 and although Taylor (3-63) and George Hayes (2-41) got wickets, the target had advanced to a tricky 222 at tea.

It was a similar pattern in the visitors reply as they slumped to 83-5, before Hopkins struck five sixes in a sparkling 44, only to fall just after the drinks interval without adding to his total.

Sadly for the Woodfalls-based outfit, it was then a rather lame finish to the innings with only Will Powell (13) managing double figures as the tail failed to wag and were all out for 143.

A disappointing effort, which Taylor will want to put right when Ferndown Wayfarers are the visitors on Saturday.

It was a much better story though, as the second string hosted Lyndhurst and Ashurst, where the hosts advanced to 166-7.

Ben Lindsay (42) and Jack Cobern (40) were the main instigators , with an entertaining 24 not out from young Marcus Kimberley on his second XI debut.

In reply, Jack Subocinski (2-18), Dom Sell (2-15) and Tom Emm (3-13) were the stars as the visitors were bowled out for 109. Simon Park (30) did hang around for a while, but no one could stay with him as his side fell well short.

The thirds were dismissed for just 64 against a strong Thruxton side, who overtook the target with the loss of just one wicket.

Hale's fourth team with an average age of 52, including two septuagenarians, got to 153-4 against Steeple Langford seconds, thanks to Iain Soutar (60) and Colin Eveleigh (46).

In reply, although Allan was 46 not out, his teammates failed to stay with him as Ian Dixon (4-13) and two apiece for Mick Wright and Andrew Spain, secured the points, as Langford were all out for 116.