PROMOTION chasing Redlynch and Hale have forgotten the way to win as they lost at Fair Oak in their Hampshire League County Division Two clash, writes ANDY CHURCH.

The hosts won the toss and batted first with Ben Brown (1-21) striking early on, but useful stands of 61 and 98 saw the runs totting up as Charlie Kemp (61) and Craig Buttle (63) got into their stride.

The introduction of George Hayes proved a good decision by skipper James Taylor, as the young spinner returned 4-46.

Dave Webber (2-46) and Andy Soutar (2-35) chipped in with a brace apiece as Fair Oak closed on 228-9.

Redlynch's Ian Tanner (31) and Webber (17) got the innings underway but were unable to stick around for the all important anchoring knock.

Jack Cobern (15) looked set, but holed out and when Soutar was very unluckily run out at the non strikers end, the writing was on the wall.

Kev Hopkins (18) looked as though he might change things, but he became one of Rob Munday's four victims as the spinner sent down nine overs returning 4-32.

Will Powell (16) had a cameo but the tail was unable to wag and a fairly lacklustre performance closed when last man, Jack Sobucinski went for a duck.

Indicatively, extras top scored with 46 as Taylor was left to rue another below par performance.

Brighter news for Taylor was the welcome return from injury of Glenn Willoughby, who had a run out in the seconds scoring 68.

They were at home against a spirited Burley side who narrowly failed to chase down a target of 228, falling just four runs short.

Tom Bayford (56) and Glenn Willoughby (68) made significant contributions and with young Archie Boardman chipping in with 42, together with a useful 23 from Nick Illman.

In reply, Burley's Hudson notched a fine 56 before holing out to a good catch from Illman as Ben Vincent (2-40) induced the drive.

Tight spells from Stan Boardman (1-23) and Willoughby (1-27) made it a tough run rate to keep up with but Hatton (32) and an aggressive 39 not out from Moorman, almost turned it around as poor Dom Sell (0-76) suffered from the late onslaught.

The thirds were set 248 to win as Wilton 's Powell scored 101 not out and Adams 42.

Only four wickets fell with Katie Sell (1-27) doing well and captain Ben Lindsay only conceding nine runs from eight overs.

In response, Phil Crisp (62) and an unbeaten 51 from Linsay was not enough to get close to the target as the innings closed on 176-5.

The fourths for once, were unable to post any sort of target at home to Totton & Eling III as the visitors dismissed them for just 89.

Guest player Charlie Williams (22) top scored. Mick Wright (1-29) was the only bowler to have success as Perrin (40 not out) and G. Egan (22 not out) crossed the line in the 18th over.