Steep v Hursley Park II: STEEP returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a comfortable nine-wicket victory against promotion-chasing Hursley Park’s second team in County Division 3 North of the Hampshire Cricket League.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat, however, their innings never really got going.

Wickets fell at regular intervals with openers J Smith and Atkins picking up one each.

Mercer then got two wickets in two balls to leave the away side struggling. Hursley Park were bowled out for 94 with Bone (5-18) removing the middle and lower order.

In response Steep cruised to their victory target for the loss of just one wicket.

S Smith and Collins opened up well and put the bad balls away. When Collins was run out the in form Knight came to the crease and continued to bat positively.

Knight’s quickfire 43 not out took Steep to the brink of victory, before S Smith finished the game in fine style with a mammoth six.

The win keeps Steep in touch with the promotion chasers ahead of another important game against Hook and Newnham Basics’ third team next week.