REDLYNCH & Hale had a Saturday to forget as the cricket club curse of the holidays and wedding season badly affected player availability.

So much so that the third XI had to plug gaps in the more senior sides and concede its own fixture with Thruxton.

The first XI were a poor second best to Rowledge in Division Two, with only a modest 163-7 posted at Woodfalls Cross by the hosts.

Having been asked to bat first, Ian Tanner (36) and Will Hewlett (24) got the innings away but some tight and probing bowling from the visitors prevented acceleration when needed.

Nathan Pollard and Harvey Boardman both fell cheaply after the openers departed and although Andy Soutar was looking promising for his 28, he lost partners.

A cameo from Will Powell (15) ended with a run-out and the innings stuttered to it's conclusion.

After the interval, it became something of a one-man show as the inform Rowledge captain Chris Yates Junior set about the home attack.

James Taylor resorted to no fewer than eight bowlers to try and dislodge the latter, as he helped himself to one boundary after another on his way to an unbeaten 105, his second century of this season.

George Hayes did make a couple of breakthroughs, but even he was expensive at 2-56. In the end, it took Yates until the 24th over to hit the winning runs to cap a rather downbeat day for the home side.

It was also a disappointing day for the club's second team - padded out with third team veterans - for the trip to Dinton.

Batting first, skipper Dom Sell carried his bat for his maiden hundred, notching 119 in a fine innings. Sell was supported by Phil Crisp (30) and Mick Wright as the visitors mustered 198-4 in their 40 overs with Alfie Cridge (2-25) and Sam Fouracre (2-37) bowling well.

In reply, Ben Coombes went cheaply, but Tom Patrick (45) with skipper Andy O'Neill (34) kept the momentum going before an elegant innings of 61 not out by Dan Syckelmoore swung the game firmly in Dinton's favour.

Although the visitors chipped away with five wickets, it proved too little as Ed Gillion (21no) and Syckelmoore took their side home with five overs in hand.

On Sunday, the ladies’ hardball side were beaten by Ryde by just one wicket.

Serena Kimberley's 34 helped the side to a below par 80. Although Poppy Sobucinska (2-21) bowled well, Ryde got home comfortably in the end.