Steep II v Railway Triangle: AN INSPIRED innings from debutant Peter Langly-Smith secured victory for relegation threatened Steep against second-placed Railway Triangle on Saturday.

Steep captain Ed Ellis won an important toss and elected to bat first on a bright, sunny day. His side got off to a stuttering start when key opening batsmen Guy Anderson was dismissed for two, with the score on ten after seven overs. The wicket brought Langly-Smith to the crease who immediately showed his class, crunching two fours through the off side in the first over he faced.

When Tom Callingham was dismissed in the 25th over the score had reached 86 and Steep seemed set for a below par score. Ed Ellis joined Langly-Smith at the crease and the pair struck up what proved to be the match winning partnership, putting on 192 runs in 20 overs.

Langly-Smith was dismissed for a brutal 156 in the penultimate over, which featured 20 fours and eight sixes, and the Steep innings closed on 283-3. Captain Ellis finished unbeaten on 72, with 13 fours and one six.

Facing a daunting total the Railway Triangle response never really got going as Steep opening bowlers Steve Curtis (4-39) and Richard Atkins (3-43) ripped through their top order.

Jack Paul picked up two wickets and leg-spinner Jhon Cosgrove one as the away side finished on 141 all out from 26 overs. Tom Callingham took three catches and Langly-Smith two in a good fielding display from Steep.

Steep travel to Old Netley and Highfield on Saturday.