REDLYNCH & Hale maintained their 100 per cent league record in Division Two of the Hampshire Cricket League with an emphatic victory at home over Old Tauntonians & Romsey seconds.

The visitors chose to field first and were delighted when both openers were back in the hutch for just 25, courtesy of James Humphries (3-32), writes Andy Church.

However, Charlie Everett (36) and Andy Soutar (60) shared a half century stand. The departure of Everett brought Harvey Boardman (36) to the crease and he and Soutar added a further 67 before the latter was pouched from the bowling of Ed Bethal, who went on to gain good reward through the tail, capturing 4-41.

A flurry of runs at the end from James Taylor (15) and Ben Brown (13no) took the total to a challenging 229-9 at the interval.

The visitors' reply started in a similar fashion as they found themselves at 9-2 with the ever dependable Brown (3-34) leading the attack.

Kev Hopkins knocked over Colin Morris's stumps to end a good third wicket stand, before Taylor turned to the in-form George Hayes.

The leg spinner completely bamboozled the lower order, who had no answer to his unnerving accuracy.

Hayes bowled 6.4 overs and took 6-19 in his lethal spell to help his side to maximum points with a 109-run margin as the visitors collapsed to 120 all out.

R&H remain at the top of Division Two, but face a challenging encounter next up, when they travel to second-placed Ferndown Wayfarers.

There was a comfortable win too for the club's second string, away against Sparsholt thirds.

Recovering from 2-2, Archie Boardman (61) and Ian Stevens (73no) added 145 for the third wicket, before captain Jack Cobern struck 14 fours in an unbeaten 103 to post 289-3.

Poor Sparsholt had no real resistance as they found themselves skittled for just 76, with Stan Boardman helping himself to 3-3 at the end for a massive 213-run winning margin.

At Hatchet Green Hale, the third XI posted 176-9 as Calvin Cranmer top scored with 35. Broughton first broke the back of the target posting 119 for the first wicket.

Katie Sell (2-31) and Emily Otton (1-43) got wickets but the visitors got home with six wickets in hand.