Just three runs were the difference between the home team Redlynch & Hale and the visitors Longparish,  as the result was decided in the 90th over of the game.

Redlynch captain, Andy Soutar, won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first, despite his side enduring back-to-back low scoring losses.

Disaster struck early as the openers and the captain himself batting at three, were back in the hutch with only 38 runs scored, the poor start was made worse with a calamitous run out of the skipper.

Another wicket went down, and at 72-4 it was looking like another low scoring affair, until childhood teammates Harvey Boardman and Will Hewlett knuckled down and fought back.

From playing together for the U14’s all the way to the first team, the pair made a memorable 108-run stand to help get their side to a competitive total.

Hewlett fell for 64, whilst Boardman cashed in on the final over scoring 20 runs from his last five balls to end on 89 not out.

Redlynch ended on 220/7, the Longparish bowlers shared the wickets, with Ed Perceval and Jordan Blackmore picking up two apiece.

Longparish’s response was a near repeat of the first innings, as both openers were gone early (26-2), but then a 124-run partnership between Zac Allen and Jack Ashmore powered them to a close finish.

Needing near 10 runs an over for the remaining five overs, the pair were looking to take on the spinner Hewlett, but Ashmore skipped down the wicket and missed, being stumped for 60.

Blackmore kept hopes alive with a quick-fire 19 but was caught with two overs to go, so the pressure was on the 18-year-old Allen’s shoulders.

Hewlett bowled the last over to the new batter with 13 runs needed for victory, nerves soon settled though as Allen (80) was run out on the first ball desperately trying to get back on strike.

Any heroics were halted, as Redlynch claimed a three-run victory and a much-needed points haul. 

Meanwhile the club's second XI's winning run was ended at Wilton who advanced to 151-9 with Rob Powell (50) top scoring. The visitors slumped to a disappointing 113 all out. And the 3rd XI's poor start continued against another strong team, Breamore Dravidians II. R&H made it to 176 all out with 57 for stand in skipper Ali Murtaza, but the Indians were too strong and overhauled the target with 6 wickets in hand. Ethan Lindsay took 2-31.