Clee Hill 123 Eardisland 129-6-

THREE spilled catches at a critical stage of Eardisland's reply may well have cost Clee victory as they defended a modest total in this 40-over friendly match.

Hill's skipper Shane Goodman won the toss and elected to bat first, but the early batsmen struggled against the accurate seam attack of Robert Canning and Andrew Davies who exploited the uneven bounce effectively.

Wickets fell regularly until Chris Taylor found some support from Nick Wilding as they steadied the innings with a valuable fourth wicket stand of 39.

Both went in quick succession, Taylor for 31 and Wilding 15, with two more wickets falling to leave the Hill struggling at 70-7.

Steve Bowkett (26) made a late flourish and with a little help from Jason Saunders (10) and Keith Broome (5), the Hill posted a modest 123.

Canning, 3-31, and Davies, 4-29, were Eardisland's leading wicket takers.

Eardisland made a bright start with an opening partnership of 32.

However the wily spin of Keith Broome made the breakthrough with two quick wickets, and with help from Mark Harrington, 3-27, Eardisland were tottering at 106-6.

Three spilled catches in the space of just two overs cost the Hill dearly with Canning taking advantage to strike a brisk 27 not out, including a towering winning six, as Eardisland eased to a four-wicket win.