NEWLY promoted Hanley Castle and Upton CC maintained their excellent start to their Division Five challenge, with a 115 run victory over a rated Cutnall Green.

CUTNALL GREEN v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON

Captain Burch won a vital toss and elected to bat. Initially, Hanley Castle and Upton's batters struggled to come to terms with the conditions and lost three quick wickets to leave them in a precarious position of 45-3.

However, an excellent partnership between opener Barry Tuck (43) and Dave Young (23) somewhat rescued the innings. They batted together for an hour and added 53 before they perished in quick succession.

Charles Robinson and Andy Evans then batted excellently to take Hanley past the 150 mark. After losing Robinson for a crucial 26, the tail helped Evans to remain undefeated on 44 and the innings closed on 196-8.

Hanley took to the field with an air of caution, opening for Cutnall Green was last week's Evening News award winner, Neil Fletcher. However, Burch and Bass bowled beautifully from the start with Ian Bass taking the first wicket, caught by Burch.

Not content with his five-wicket haul from last week, Burch bowled superbly, destroyed the heart of the Cutnall Green innings, taking wickets regularly. Burch also took the vital wicket of Fletcher (36) with a wicked yorker.

John Fletcher took the final two wickets to leave Cutnall Green all out for 81. Burch bowled throughout in the intense heat, returning figures of 6 for 29 off 13 overs.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Hanley Castle and Upton entertain Newland at home. All support welcome. Players to meet 1.30pm latest at the Glebe