Hawkley v Droxford: DROXFORD won the toss and chose to bat first.

The visitors lost two early wickets, however Smith and Wright steadied the innings and added 50 runs.

Wright fell for 17, spooning Tom Greene’s leg-break to George Maltby at mid-on, however Smith was now well set and scored rapidly as he went past his half-century.

Hawkley skipper Paul Cross, together with Greene, regained a degree of control with the ball, curbing the scoring and taking two more wickets, including the prized scalp of Smith who was clean bowled by Cross for 80. Kopinski added some muscle in the closing overs as Droxford finished on 188-7.

Hawkley’s reply stuttered early on as Allison was dismissed leg before wicket.

Greene and Magan Singodia built an excellent partnership, adding 100 runs together before Singodia was bowled by Smith for 39, leaving Hawkley looking well placed with only 80 more runs needed for victory.

Liam Lloyd joined Greene in a 30-run partnership and the hosts needed 48 off eight overs with six wickets in hand. However, after Lloyd was out for 15 only George Maltby with 11 made any impact, leaving Greene attempting to overtake the Droxford total on his own.

Seventeen runs were needed off the last three overs and Hawkley’s hopes were high as Greene hit a booming drive over mid-off.

Six runs would have sealed the win for Hawkley but the ball fell a few yards short: Greene was caught for 99 and Hawkley finished five runs short.