Hawkley v East Meon: HAWKLEY won the toss and chose to bat on a hot and sunny afternoon.

After the home side lost opening batsmen Clive and Ed Peel in the opening overs, Aaron Stewart scored rapidly and looked set for a big score until he holed out to mid-off for 17 to leave Hawkley on 43-3.

Viv Evans joined home skipper Paul Cross at the crease in an 80-run partnership, with Cross leading the way as boundaries flowed to all parts of the ground. Cross reached his half century before falling to a well-judged catch in the deep for 67.

It was left to Evans to see the innings through the final overs, which he did in some style, hitting out freely as he finished on 52 not out, with Geoff Maltby unbeaten on 22 as Hawkley posted a competitive team total of 177-5.

East Meon’s opening batsmen, Gillespie and Hollis, ran sharply between the wickets and dealt with any wayward deliveries in style.

The score had reached 76 in the 12th over when Steve Clark bowled Hollis for 46.

The scoring slowed somewhat after Hollis’ departure as Evans continued his excellent day’s play by bowling a tight spell which conceded only 16 runs off five overs.

However, East Meon accelerated as they neared their target, aided by some ragged fielding by Hawkley which gifted their opponents too many easy runs.

The game reached the final over with East Meon needing eight runs. A lofted on-drive for four gave the advantage to the visitors, and the winning runs came from the penultimate ball.