THIS Crusader Worcestershire Cricket League Division Four match was to be dominated by two exquisite batting performances from Dave Young (76no) for Hanley and Nick Major (104no) for Old Vigornians.

HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON v WORCESTER OLD VIGORNIANS

Hanley having been skittled out for 54 the previous week were looking to consolidate against a strong and youthful team from OV's.

Daniels (4-56) and Hardy (0-22) opened in lively fashion with some erratic but fast deliveries that had all of the Hanley top order struggling to find form. At 47-4 and with an inexperienced line up to come Hanley feared the worse.

Up stepped Dave Young who started to blaze the ball through and over the covers, with magnificent timing, whilst showing terrific defence when required. He was given excellent support from Graham Thomas (14) but having put on 51 for the fifth wicket the partnership was broken by the gentle medium pace of Mackie (5-28) who was then to rip through the lower order. It was not until the tenacious John Fletcher (19) joined Young with nine wickets down that the Hanley total took on a degree of respectability. After ten more overs and 54 runs Hanley felt that they had done well to post 176.

Having skittled out the opposition for 54 the previous week, the Hanley bowlers had their tails up and Fletcher (1-44) started in lively form having Riaz caught at slip.

Young Nick Major then proceeded to give a master class in the art of batting. He completed his second undefeated hundred (15 x 4; 2 x6) in two weeks just before the close and rightly took the plaudits from all assembled at the ground, OV's victorious finishing on 178 -3.