Hawkley v Bedhampton Mariners: THE VISITORS won the toss and chose to bat first.

Runs came slowly in the opening overs, although Hawkley found it hard to break through the batsmen’s defences. Finally in the 13th over, with only 14 runs on the board, Bedhampton’s Hovey was bowled by Nick Hudson, who conceded only six runs in an eight over spell.

After a change of bowling runs came more readily but wickets fell too. Steve Clark caught opening batsman Morell off his own bowling for 12, bowled Hickey for eight and claimed the wicket of top-scorer Parvin for 36 to a good outfield catch by Hawkley skipper Ashley Fooks. Clive Hopkin claimed two wickets and Paul Cross one victim and Fooks put himself on to bowl in the final overs before tea to claim two quick wickets as Bedhampton’s innings closed on 145-9 declared.

Hawkley’s reply began with a flourish as Ed Peel hit the first ball for four over mid-off and added a towering six in the next over before losing his middle stump with his score on 18. Barry Allison and Cross built a productive partnership which took the score past 100 until both fell in their 40s with a Hawkley victory within sight.

Bedhampton came back hard, claiming six wickets for 30 runs to set up a nail-biting finish. With ten runs required off the last two overs and Hawkley’s last pair at the crease any result was possible. Opening bowler Bisht conceded only two runs from the penultimate over, leaving Magan Singodia to block the final balls and claim a draw.