TOM Benham and Rob Lanchbury-Thomas both scored centuries but Old Vigornians were held by a battling Great Alne side at New Road.

After being put in to bat on a sweltering Sunday, Chris Drew continued his great form with a powerful 45.

He was caught and bowled by Great Alne skipper Jonathan Burch, but this only brought Launchbury-Thomas (101) and Benham (100) together at the crease.

The duo punished any bad balls and ran hard before retiring having scored excellent centuries.

Great Alne stuck to their task in sweltering heat but 301-3 always looked like a big ask.

Cam Stanley-Blakey and Ivan Campbell-Ferguson took the new ball for the OVs and picked good a wicket each.

At 35-2 the hosts were in a strong position but Rob Stanley and Tom Alder more than steadied the ship for the visitors.

The breakthrough came 78 runs later as a fine leg side catch from Oscar Thompson off the bowling of Zain Hussain who took 3-32 took the wicket of Alder.

George Campbell-Ferguson who fielded brilliantly all afternoon then showed great maturity on his debut as the 12-year-old’s first two overs went for only five runs on a day when the average run rate was nearly seven.

Only a dropped catch cost him a well-deserved wicket but Campbell-Ferguson can be very proud of his first outing in senior cricket.

Skipper Thompson picked a couple of late wickets but Great Alne continued to dig in as Stanley recorded a fine unbeaten 100.

He was briefly upstaged by Zak Burton who scored his maiden 50 after some wonderful clean striking, hitting eight fours and two sixes as Great Alne closed on 249-9.