MARTLEY returned to winning ways with a comfortable home victory over Eastnor in Worcestershire Cricket League Division Three.

Home skipper Dom Jones won the toss and decided to bat but he had departed by the fourth ball before James Ganderton hit seven fours in a quick 36.

Tom Vale and and Alex Basford (28) constructed the partnership of the match, putting on 51 in good time as Martley reached 122-3.

Vale’s departure for 39 triggered a collapse, losing six wickets for just 25 runs.

The last-wicket pair showed more application and endeavour as they put on a valuable 27 before James Francis was unlucky to edge one behind and they were all out for 184.

Suleyman Shah ended with 5-36.

Dan Johnson (3-17) then destroyed the Eastnor top order as they slumped to 14-3 and then 30-4.

Scott Roberts (34) started a recovery but Ganderton came on to take 3-30 in 10 overs and with Alec Francis snapping up 2-23 Eastnor were all out for 106.

Martley seconds lost a close Division Four encounter at Hallow Taverners who were reduced to 58-3 after tidy spells from Tej Uppall (1-32) and Ollie Dunks (1-36).

But Tony Sitch led the fightback with a well-crafted 85 and with support from the lower order Hallow reached 216-8.

Simon Butler returned 3-26 for Martley.

Openers Jon McGahan (25) and Jim Basford (36) gave Martley a fine start in reply and they were 70-0 off 12 overs.

But again the team collapsed and it was left to Martin Sweet with a timely 53 to put them in with a chance of victory.

In the end the last pair needed 18 for the win but finished just five runs short in an exciting finale.