Hampshire League Regional Division Two update

INSPIRED bowling by Steve Lang-ford enabled Hyde to beat Woodgreen by 27 runs after the visitors seemed to be coasting to victory in Regional Division Two West.

Having no hesitation in electing to bat first, Hyde were expecting to amass a large total in the region of 250. However, Woodgreen's bowlers had other ideas and managed to put the brakes on for most of the innings.

Opener Kevin Newton hit an unbeaten 77 and shared in stands of 48 with Mark Newton, 26, 57 with Mike Shutler, 24, and 84 with Richard Gulliver, 42, as the home side were stopped at 187-3.

Although they were below the asking rate, a solid opening stand of 98 in 26 overs between Andy Baker, 53, and Dave Naish, 29, put Woodgreen well on the way.

It was then that Langford was brought into the attack and he turned the game on its head.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and despite useful contributions from Jason Holderness, 21, and Steve Rich-ards, 19, the visitors were all out for 160 in the 41st over with Langford, 5-35, supported by John Cray, 2-32.

Cadnam II were floundering at 124-7 as Neil Fotheringham claimed 4-44 but Mark Wright-Green, 44, and Kevin Garrett, 39, staged a recovery and they finished on 185.

Godshill were coasting after a second wicket stand of 127 in 19 overs between Jason Cooper and Andy Lowe who both made 67.

Both fell to Ron Biddlecombe, 3-28, and then they slumped further to 138-7 against Paul Jewer, 4-35. Neil Fotheringham hit 30, but needing just five runs to win with more than five overs left, he was last out and the innings closed at 181 off 36.3 overs.

An opening stand of 57 between Tom Morris, 68, and Mike Parke, 18, gave Alderholt a solid start and then John Stocks hit 54 in a century stand with Morris as the home side progressed to 204-5.

Fawley II showed little form as Parke claimed 3-26, and with only Steve Rollinson, 25 not out, in touch, they were removed for 116 with the home side completing their second successive victory against high placed opposition.

Opener Les Browning hit the first 30 runs in Burley's innings before being caught, but Paul Yates took over the assault on the Bitterne bowling and smashed five sixes and 17 fours in his 118 before he was stumped in the 25th over. Runs continued to flow from Nick Tyler, 48 not out, and Tim Cooper, 28, and Burley amassed 263-9 with Darren Jacobs taking 4-38.

Although opener Dave Hiscott hit 39, Bitterne were struggling at 91-6. But then Jacobs, 113 not out, and Al Thompson, 43 not out, steadied the ship and shared in an unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 131.

Burley tried seven bowlers on the large Colden Common ground but were unable to break the partnership and the home side finished on 220-6 with Wayne Tucker, 2-36, the pick of the attack.