VISITORS Langley Manor were asked to bat first at Redlynch Playing Fields in Saturday's Hampshire County Division One clash.

After Matt Truckle made early inroads, a partnership of 79 for the second wicket with Cresswell, 54, developed.

Tom Emm, once again pinned his opponents down, with another noteworthy display, returning 5-31 from his 12 overs, with two of his victims falling to the lightning gloves of 'keeper John Burton.

However, once Emm's spell had finished, Manor got going again, with no other home bowler able to impress.

Truckle finally snared Wilkinson, 66, as the visitors were bowled out for 275.

In a desperate start to their reply, four wickets fell with only 40 on the board.

However, the in-form Neil Shelley, 48, and Mark Elkins, 58, produced a fifth wicket stand of 107 to get the innings back on track before both were adjudged lbw.

Excitement mounted as the 200 came up with only six overs to play and 76 needed.

As the tension grew and emotions, perhaps understandably, got somewhat frayed, Burton, 33, was stumped and when Emm strode to the crease at number 11, 46 were still needed from only 24 balls.

Truckle, 37 not out, and Emm, 13, thrilled the crowd with some desperate batting as they edged closer.

Tension increased as the last over arrived with 13 still wanted.

Truckle put a monstrous six into the far corner of the ground.

The next three balls yielded five runs but then disaster struck for the home side as Emm was easily run out going for a quick single with two balls still in hand.

Some rather over zealous celebrations ensued, but even in defeat, this could not take the edge off what had proved yet another marvellous game of cricket at Redlynch.

Meanwhile in Regional Division Three (North West), the club's second string amassed a formidable 312-6 on their travels against nine-man Porton.

Steve Fox hit 100 including 15 fours and a six with yet more runs flowing from the bat of Phil Crisp as he fell three short of a century, striking 14 fours and a six in an opening stand of 181.

A cameo from Richard Burfitt, 27, and a rapid 45 from skipper Neil Tanner depressed the home bowlers further.

The Porton batsmen were clearly out to make the visitors earn their points as they laboured to 65 before top scorer Mercer, 43, was pouched by Anthony Fuller from the bowling of Ashley Church.

Tom Carter finished with 3-32 and Chris Castle with 2-21, as a depleted Porton capitulated for 130.

In Regional Division Four (North West), early season league leaders Littleton and West Hill II proved too strong for Redlynch's third team at Hatchet Green, Hale.

Dibben scored 81 to steer his side to 221-8 with three wickets apiece for Nick Illman and Neil Robinson and a first wicket in senior cricket for 13-year-old Russ Church.

In reply, only Illman, continuing his good recent form, showed any resistance as he notched a fine half century with nine fours and two sixes in his 54.

The home side were stopped 67 runs short at 154.