Six-wicket Nick has life of Riley

Riley, making his first start of the season, took 6-40 as he and skipper Paul Athey (3-29) tore through Martley's lower order to reduce them from 86-3 to 119 all out.

Despite losing the toss again, Croft were asked to bat and got off the best possible start with Rich Sinclair and John Goode posting a century stand for the first wicket.

Taking advantage of a couple of early chances that went begging, Sinclair was ruthless in his treatment of the Martley bowlers, bringing up his 50 in the 13th over. Goode played the anchor role at the other end, and Croft were on top until Sinclair was finally dismissed for 65. Goode went shortly after for a well-crafted 34.

Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals and Croft's chances of posting a decent score looked to be diminishing as they stumbled to 163-6.

Rich Doodey managed to salvage the innings, building a couple of useful partnerships with the tail end batsmen. Doodey (36 not out) put on 25 with Nick Riley and 20 with 14-year-old Will Sach to pull Croft up to a final total of 216 all out.

In reply, the hosts got the early breakthrough, with Nick Riley removing Birchley for 0 with only his third ball.

Riley, making his first start of the season, bowled with pace and accuracy in an impressive opening burst. He also picked up the wicket of Howes for 13, but Martley looked to be going well at 72-2 until Adam Rodway picked up the important wicket of Martley's big-hitter Bibbey for 44.

Youngsters Rodway and Sach started to apply some pressure to the new batsmen, pressure exploited by the return of Athey and Riley for their second spells.

In the space of ten overs the pair ripped through the rest of the order, with Martley collapsing from 86-3 to 119 all out.

l Avoncroft Seconds won the reverse fixture by three wickets.

Martley were all out for 160 before the visitors reached their target.