REDLYNCH and Hale finally returned to winning ways in Hampshire League County Division Two beating visiting Bishop's Waltham by five wickets, writes ANDY CHURCH.

The game saw the welcome return from injury of skipper James Taylor, but the visitors won the toss and elected to bat in the hot and sunny conditions.

Ben Brown (1-28) struck early on having Harry McGhee caught at the wicket by Ian Tanner for a duck.

Rob Kopps at the other end was in more flamboyant mood as he struck eight fours in his 43 before Dave Webber (2-38) had him pouched.

George Hayes (2-27) came into the attack accounting for Carvey and Medhurst, but Ed Dadd, held his end up with a patiently crafted 50.

Webber stopped the dangerous looking Harry Barrett, with Kev Hopkins holding his second catch, before two run outs completed the innings as the visitors closed on 211-7.

In response, Stephen Fox (14) was Tanner's opening partner for this game, but with both openers gone with 89 on the board, it fell to Glen Willoughby (55) to set about the visitors attack with 10 fours to his name.

Ably supported by Andy Soutar, who took over once Willoughby departed and with Hopkins (28) added 50 for the fifth wicket.

This brought Taylor (11 not out) to the crease with Soutar in the zone and eyeing a half century in the end he finished unbeaten on 47.

Meanwhile, the seconds, were at Breamore Marsh for the County 4 West.

Batting first, the visitors could not get Alan Bennett away as he returned 0-9 in his 9 overs.

Paul Veit (2-39) was equally tight early on and at 39-3, a high scoring game looked unlikely.

Jack Cobern (28) and Nathan Pollard (25) then got going, before Bennett pulled off a wonder catch to dismiss the latter.

However, Ewan Tanner (51 not out) rode his luck and in a useful partnership with Dom Sell (17 not out) the pair pushed the total to 162-5 at the interval.

The evergreen Shaun Marlow (51) was the anchorman, despite losing brother Steve for a duck, cleaned up by Sell (1-27).

Then Veit (46) punished anything offline with some strong hitting as the pair brought up the 100.

Tom Emm (1-33) bowled Veit and a superb catch "round the corner" from young Harry Cobern accounted for Marlow.

Tom Goodwin (32) was bowled by Ian Stevens (2-10) but there was no further break through for the visitors as Breamore got home with five overs and sic wickets in hand.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the clubs third and fourth teams as both Shrewton III and Whiteparish II failed to raise a side and conceded.