HANLEY Castle & Upton continued their winning start to the season with a nine-wicket victory in an away game against Hewell on Saturday in the Worcester County League Division Five.

HEWELL v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON

Hanley & Upton were asked to field first on a damp but hard wicket. Burch (2-28) and Bass (0-17) opened the attack finding swing and movement off the pitch and containing Hewell to only 44 off 15 overs on the small ground.

Captain Fletcher (2-45) and Conway (1-17) replaced the openers with Fletcher claiming the wicket of Williams (29). The dangerous Gill (40) arrived and was scoring well until Fletcher somewhat gratefully departed from the attack and brought on Williams' offspin. This proved to be a turning point of the innings as Gill was run out, by Bass, attempting a suicidal second run. Williams (3-23) then took three wickets in two overs to peg Hewell back and Burch and Fletcher returned to mop up the tail removing Hewell for only 176.

The opening pair of Heath (66no) and Young (59) started steadily and brought up the 50 in the 13th over. Young now started playing some superb shots before posting his 50 off 70 balls. The 100 was posted in the 23rd over before Young flicked at one outside the off stump and was caught behind. This brought the hero of last week Mathews (34no) to the crease to join Heath. Heath started to punish the somewhat demoralised bowling and reach his 50 off 64 balls. The 150 came in the 33rd over and Mathews finished the match by hitting a straight six to leave Hanley convincing winners by nine wickets and 20 points.

Players to meet at Hanley 12.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) for a home game with Brintons (1pm start).