WITH major availability problems, Redlynch & Hale Cricket Club had to shuffle the pack ahead of Saturday’s Hampshire League fixtures. 

Six regular first team players, including skipper Neil Shelley, were missing for their crucial County Division Four (South) table toppers Rowner, causing a nightmare for the selectors. 

Stand-in captain Tom Emm was forced to endure a 118-run opening stand from their unbeaten opponents despite the brave efforts of Mike Elkins, 0-33. 

Wickramasinghe, 70, and Rob Bowman, 77, made hay in the sunshine before becoming two of ‘keeper Ian Tanner’s three stumping victims from the spin of Emm, 2-32, and James Taylor, 2-33. 

But with a solid foundation laid and a further 46 from Ian Collins in the run in, a total of 246-6 looked a tall order. 

And so it proved as Laurence Harding, Nick Smith and Elkins all fell cheaply. 

Ian Tanner battled away to reach 45 in a stand of 64 with James Dorrington, 25, and some lusty blows from Jon Hatchett, 23, gave some sign of a spirited recovery before the latter was castled by Alan Dicken, who returned 4-27. 

Taylor supported with a brief cameo of 15, but without the regular firepower, acceleration was almost impossible and the innings folded on 157. 

The defeat means the side drop to fifth and they now need to turn the tables to revive the slim chance of promotion they still have. 

With changes too in the second team, a close game was expected for the Regional Division Three (North West) home clash with Wilton. 

However, electing to bat first, the visitors struggled all the way through their innings as Dave Webber, 4-29, and Josh Bishop, 2-13, reduced them to just 101 all out in 34 overs. R. Powell top scored with 17. 

After the interval, Phil Crisp and Graham Smith, 18, broke the back of the target, before Webber, 18, joined Crisp, who went on to complete a fine 59 not out with nine fours, to win the game. 

The club’s third string, suffering the most from all the reshuffling, had the tough task of taking on unbeaten league leaders Steeple Langford. 

They dismissed their visitors for just 88 with Ben Lindsay making 23. 

Phil Tompkins did most of the damage with a splendid display of 10-5-5-10. 

Although Lindsay and Jack Vincent bagged a wicket each, Nick Mundy, 38 not out, and Chris Mundy, 21 not out, saw the side comfortably home in only 14 overs. 

There was much brighter news however, for Redlynch’s Under 17s (pictured, above) who confirmed their New Forest Colts League title by clinically disposing of Cadnam. 

Nick Smith, with an unbeaten 50, and Glen Willoughby, 49, helped post 152-4. 

Beaten only once during the campaign, the champions-elect were not about to let this one slip, and although Hardy, 44, played some good shots, his team mates could not contend with Tom Webber, 3-18, and a brace apiece for James Taylor, 2-10, and Smith, 2-1. 

Cadnam were all out for 98 to hand victory and the silverware to Redlynch & Hale.