HANLEY Castle and Upton travelled to South Staffordshire for this Crusader Worcestershire League Division Four encounter.

AMBLECOTE v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON

Having only previously finished one game this season due to rain, both teams were anxious to capitalise on some summer sunshine.

Amblecote won the toss and had no hesitation batting on a grassy but flat wicket and subjected the Hanley bowlers to a long, hot afternoon in the field.

All of the top six batsman were to score over 20 runs a piece with Bissell (55) and Bingham (85) in outstanding form, taking full advantage of some over generous bowling and dropped catches.

Wickets were hard to come by and it was only when captain Charles Robinson (3-53) came on to bowl that the scoring rate slowed and the Amblecote progress was halted. Even then the home team were happy to declare after 46 overs setting Hanley 261 to win in 54 overs.

Richard Thompson (15) and Dave Hayes (22) started brightly and when the in form Grant Mathews (84) was joined by the hard hitting Simon Rawlings (50) the target came into view. With ten overs remaining Hanley required 60 to win. Immediately Rawlings had his off stump uprooted by the in-swing of Gregory and when Mathews went LBW looking to force Hamblett (4-44) through the leg side Hanley's hopes were all but dashed.

Robinson (17) kept Amblecote at bay for a short while before perishing himself, another victim of Hamblett's accuracy. An excellent effort from a weakened Hanley and Upton team giving encouragement in this new division.

Amblecote picked up 24 points with Hanley earning seven points.

Tomorrow (Saturday) a home match at the Glebe Hanley Castle against Avoncroft, players meet 1.15pm