Hanley Castle and Upton convincingly defeated Vine CC to continue their 100 per cent start to the season.

Batting first, Hanley Castle and Upton made a stuttering start, losing Andy Heath and Grant Mathews cheaply. Young came to the join Tuck at the wicket and both batted excellently, adding 45 for the third wicket before Tuck was bowled for a grafted 40.

In-form James Thompson joined Young and these two batted resolutely throughout almost the whole innings. With Young stylishly finding the gaps and Thompson peppering the boundary, Hanley and Upton moved quickly towards the 150 mark. Thompson was dismissed with three overs left, having scored a vital 26. With the incoming batsmen chancing the eye, Young was run out for a match-winning 55. Hanley Castle and Upton closed on a challenging total of 155.

Vine's reply got off to the worst start possible, losing their opening batsman to the first ball. Chris O'Donnell taking a simple catch off Bass's opening delivery.

Burch continued his excellent start to the season by claming the other opener in his first over and Vine never recovered. Although the final partnership defended admirably, it was left to Charles Robinson to claim the final wicket of the innings with his opening delivery. Bass took 4-29 and Burch claimed another 4 wickets. With Vine all out for just over 50, Hanley Castle and Upton had remained disciplined to continue their excellent start to the season.

Next Saturday, Hanley Castle and Upton entertain Cape Hill Victoria at the Glebe. All players to meet 1.30pm latest. All support welcome.

HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON II v AMBLECOTE & WOLLASTON III

After losing the toss Hanley & Upton were asked to field first on a flat but slow wicket.

Powell (2-15 including 10 wides off 8 overs) and Williams (4-24 off 15 overs) opened the bowling and held the batsmen in check for the first ten overs before Williams had the opener Harris plum LBW for eight. Powell then took the next two wickets to fall, deceiving the batsmen with balls that were actually straight and then gave way to youngster Jim Wilkes (1-4 off 6 overs). Williams took the next two wickets and then brought on Ian Hill (3-10 off 7 overs). Jon Heming produced two excellent stumpings to wrap up the innings for a small total of 68 which would have been a lot less if at least six catches had not been dropped.

The opening pair of Wright (13) and Matthews (2) progressed steadily from the first 10 overs before the latter was bowled playing back to a ball that kept fairly low. Wright soon followed caught in the covers and an all too familiar batting collapse ensued with the 6th wicket falling at 30, with 39 runs still needed to win.

Williams (20no) promoted himself up the order and found an ally in Powell (11) and the pair gradually started to reduce the deficit, adding 35 runs in 18 overs before Powell was bowled after facing 55 balls, leaving Williams to hit the winning runs.