IT WAS a disappointing start to the 2022 cricket season for Redlynch & Hale, as their National Village Knockout Cup first-round match ended in defeat at the hands of Winsley from north Wiltshire.

With the early season wicket looking like it had something for the bowlers, skipper James Taylor asked his visitors to have a bat.

This proved a wrong call as the opening stand had reached 56 before Dave Webber had Campbell McKegg pouched by Taylor for 41.

Good partnerships followed with the bowlers struggling to find a good line as Matt Garrod (52) was finally run out at the fall of the sixth wicket with 221 on the board.

George Hayes was the pick of the attack as he wheeled away with 4-41 from his eight overs. A flurry towards the end saw the total pushed to an impressive 260-9 from the 40 allocated overs.

In reply, Ian Tanner went early doors but Webber (59) dug in well and reached a fine half-century. Losing two fairly cheap wickets did not help Redlynch & Hale’s cause, but Andy Soutar (20) and Kev Hopkins (27) kept the hosts in with a shout.

After both departed it was Taylor (33) who was the mainstay. But with the overs running out the tail was not allowed to wag and the visitors claimed a pass to the second round with a 52 run victory.