Hawkley v Lynchmere: BATTING first, Lynchmere openers Howard and Hawkins were clearly looking for quick runs.

Paul Cross, however, had other ideas and tied the batsmen down with his accurate seam bowling. Hawkins tried to break the shackles but only managed to drill the ball to Galliford at mid-on. Guy Charlton also settled into an economical spell as Hawkley chipped away, leaving the visitors on 50-4 after 15 overs.

Lynchmere’s Howard was still at the crease and steadily accumulating runs, holding the innings together on his way to a fine half-century.

Making a rare appearance for Hawkley, Nick Troth produced a devastating spell of leg spin to run through the Lynchmere tail, aided by some smart glove work from keeper Magan Singodia.

Hallam Brown took the prized wicket of top-scorer Howard as the visitors finished on 147 all out. Troth claimed five wickets, Cross took three and Brown and Charlton had one apiece.

Hawkley’s reply began with a stutter as Cross and Hopkin departed in the opening overs, however, Steve Clark and John Dinnis rallied the innings with a 50-run partnership with Clark hitting three sixes in a belligerent knock of 35 while Dinnis stroked his way to an elegant and well-paced 42.

Charlton added a further 15 runs, however, with only 50 runs needed off 15 overs with six wickets remaining, the innings crumbled and a succession of Hawkley batsmen made their way back to the pavilion leaving skipper Brown stranded as Hawkley were bowled out for 132.