REDLYNCH & Hale’s first XI were on the road at Ferndown, missing several key players for this top-of-the-table clash in Hampshire Division Two, writes Andy Church.

The hosts won the toss and set off at a sedate pace, thanks to a frugal spell of nine overs for just 17 runs from Ben Brown, with Cam Golding reaching 50 before he and James Stephenson (30) were finally dislodged by Dom Sell (2-35).

With half the overs gone and only 80 on the board, it was time to up the pace and Eric Linge (30) and Craig McLean (58) duly obliged for the hosts.

A flurry of runs and wickets at the end saw Ferndown post a total of 244-6.

In reply, Ian Tanner and Will Hewlett (24) put on 49 before the latter was stumped by Will Avery.

Tanner and Harvey Boardman (37) added a further 67 before Avery struck again to dislodge Boardman.

However, the overs had been ticking by and with Golding (3-35) taking out the middle order, a realistic challenge on the target looked very unlikely.

Tanner carried his bat for a crafted 77, but he too was unable to up the tempo against tight bowling as partners came and went, with the run chase fizzling out at 179-7.

Redlynch’s second team game scheduled against Penton was called off late, due to the latter unable to raise a side.

This proved helpful for a depleted third XI who had already had to borrow three players on the player loan scheme as they finally took the field at Littleton & West Hill with 11 men.

However, it was not their day despite two early wickets, the hosts had the services of two very accomplished batsmen with Craig Falkingham (163no) and Tom Aylward (106no) sharing a massive 278-run stand to post an unassailable 330-2.

The visitors opted to accumulate a few batting points and deny the hosts of full points. this they did finishing on 106-7 with Ian Dixon making 27.

Elsewhere Redlynch’s under-11s dismissed Cadnam for just 67 and promptly knocked the runs off in just seven overs with Rob Edwards 28 not out.

The Ladies’ softball side enjoyed a close game with Whiteparish with the latter running out winners by 22 runs in the pairs format.

  • Elsewhere, for the first time this season, there was a double celebration at Farley with both sides winning, writes Paul Roberts.

The first team enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Ramsdell while the seconds gained a morale-boosting success at Andover thirds.

At home, Farley’s powerful batting line-up made hay on a docile track.

Ramesh Gurung led the way with a sumptuous 83, adding 97 for the second wicket with Geoff Ramsey.

With 20 overs to go, Farley had 175 on the board - and accelerated with Sunny Gurung making a rapid century. The hosts finished on 357-6.

Ramsdell came out swinging and Jack Parsons raced to a 23-ball fifty.

But after Ramesh Gurung bowled him, the others couldn’t maintain the pace. That was the first of a five-wicket haul for player of the match Gurung as Ramsdell were bowled out for 165.

Dan Jackson was Farley’s star with the ball at Andover, claiming five for 34 as the hosts were restricted to 165-8, despite a series of dropped catches.

Farley chased it down with four wickets and six overs to spare. Rob Loader led the way with a classy 71, well supported by David Battams.