HANLEY Castle and Upton CC got their season off to the best possible start in the WCL division four with a maximum points victory against league newcomers Martley.

HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON V MARTLEY

Hanley lost the toss and found themselves batting on a hail-soddened wicket. With the new ball in their hands the Martley pair of Townsend (1-18) and Repton (2-47) were looking dangerous and quickly had both openers trapped lbw.

This brought the new Hanley captain Richard Thompson (40) to the wicket to join Grant Mathews (79).

In extremely windy conditions the Martley bowlers tired and when Thompson was out Simon Rainsford (32no) ensured that the final total was a challenging 184-4.

In reply Martley's openers Baker (28) and Rusherne (13) made a steady start, taking the score to 34 before the first wicket fell to Tony Hutchings. He turned in a terrific display of medium-fast bowling, returning figures of 12-1-31-6.

Support was given by Fletcher (1-41); Rainsford (1-27) and Robinson (1-0). A magnificent catch at short leg by Sam Foley was the highlight of an excellent fielding performance by the home team.

The Martley innings tailed off and the only other batsman to get into double figures was Repton (24). Martley were all out for 103 in the 35th over.

Hanley and Upton 24 points, Martley one point.