Hawkley v Steep: HAWKLEY batted first in the annual derby match against their neighbours Steep.

Paul Cross was on the offensive from the start, scoring rapidly against the Steep bowlers.

Fellow opener Chris Huntley fell with the score on 47, after which Hawkley skipper Hallam Brown added a rapid 17 runs for the home side.

Steve Clarke then joined Cross and took the score to 98 before Cross became the first victim of three Hawkley run-outs with a personal tally of 48 runs.

Two further wickets fell cheaply and Clark’s departure for 30 signalled a Hawkley collapse which left them all out for 136.

Paul was the pick of Steep’s bowlers with figures of three wickets for nine runs.

Steep’s reply began cautiously, scoring 35 runs in the first 12 overs for the loss of both openers clean bowled, with Hawkley’s John Marden and Nick Hudson each claiming one victim.

Thereafter Ellis and Yates took the game away from Hawkley with a powerful display which took Steep to their target without further loss, with Ellis finishing on 62 not out and Yates finishing on 36 not out as the visitors won by eight wickets.