REDLYNCH and Hale opened their home campaign in the Hampshire County Division Three North with a 52-run victory over Michelmersh & Timsbury, writes ANDY CHURCH.

Asked to bat first they lost both Ian Tanner and Dave Webber going cheaply.

However, a stand of 102 between Andy Soutar (35) and Glen Willoughby (67) got them right back on track.

Further success from debutante Charlie Everett (40) and a splendid 88 not out from the in form Kev Hopkins which included nine fours and three sixes to post an impressive 266-5.

The visitors were soon in trouble as Ben Brown castled Will George and Russ Church had Paul Hurle safely pouched by Will Hewlett.

Only Craig Hurle (60) was able to hold things together as he grafted a vital 60 runs as partners fell around him.

Dave Webber and Hewlett claimed a wicket each before Hopkin's short spell bagged him 2-13.

James Taylor them accounted for Hurle as the target looked ever further away.

Only a brisk 26 from Matt Birch got the visitors past 200 before he also fell to Taylor, and the innings closed at 212-8.

There was further success for the seconds at Penton, who elected to bat.

Jack Cobern (2-27) and Dom Sell accounted for the top order with only Poulton (35) making much headway.

Wickets fell steadily as Tom Emm in his first game back after injury, bagged 2-21 with skipper Stan Boardman mopping up the tail with four victims for just one run as the hosts were dismissed for 126.

In reply, the visitors quickly lost Ben Lindsay, but Tom Bayford (16) and Ian Stevens (25) paved the way for an unbroken 60 not out from Cobern saw his side to a comfortable four wicket win with seven overs to spare.

The thirds completed a full house as they overcame Whiteparish seconds by 57 runs.

Brian Kimberley (40) and Mick Wright (39) were the mainstays, as R&H closed out on 139-9. Martin Ball took 3-18. The hosts got to 44-1 with Daryl Parsons (25) the first of youngster Harry Cobern's victims.

Richard Barlow took 3-15, before Cobern completed his first ever five-fer, as he finsiehd with figures of 4-1-9-5 as Longparish were shot out for just 82.