NEWLAND entertained rivals and league leaders Hanley Castle & Upton in a top of Division Five clash which turned out to be an enthralling match with Newland gaining a winning draw.

NEWLAND v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON

Newland lost the toss and were invited to bat on a Newland strip that was slightly under prepared due to recent showers.

Any early nerves were settled as Jason Brewer and Dave White peppered the ball to all parts, blasting away at the opening bowlers and Burch was soon out of the attack as Brewer punished a succession of short balls with ease, 60 runs coming off the first ten overs.

This forced an early change to the Hanley strategy although they were unable to make inroads into the Newland batting the runs had to be earned. Dave White was now in full flow driving beautifully and quick to punish anything short. The pair had added 119 runs when Brewer (47) fell in the deep to Robinson. He was followed by White two balls later for 63.

With two new batsmen at the crease Newland had to rebuild and Steve Freeman was in fine form nudging the ball around interspersed with some fine shots to the boundary but he fell to a well flighted Tuck delivery for 33.

The remaining batsmen all got starts but Tuck was well supported by his deep fielders, especially Conway and Heeley, as wickets tumbled during the final overs. Tuck with 5-58 and Robinson 3-86 were the successful bowlers as Newland posted a target of 224.

Newland suffered a blow at tea when Tenney was so unwell he had to leave, this left Newland with only two recognised bowlers. Hanley & Upton set off with all guns blazing as Tuck and Rawlings had the numbers spinning on the scoreboard.

Forty runs had come off the first six overs until Rawlings snicked one behind; the next over witnessed one of the most remarkable catches ever seen on the Newland ground. Barry Tuck unleashed a tremendous square cut that saw Newland skipper, Darren Tolley, dive full length and amazingly cling on to the ball.

Two more quick wickets fell to the pace of Churchill and Riaz leaving Hanley tottering at 51-4.

Hanley rebuilt their innings through Grant Mathews and A Evans. Newland crucially dropped Mathews to a regulation snick behind and they were made to pay. Evans also gave two chances that went to ground which were to prove costly.

Both batsmen now started to open their shoulders and very quickly the nature of the game changed and Newland were on the defensive. This proved no problem to Mathews who was finding the gaps with ease and two towering sixes saw his side as favourite for the victory, the pair had taken their side to 178 when Riaz struck, bowling Evans for 57.

Mathews was still going for the win when Riaz struck again and the Hanley batsman departed for a fine 67 leaving his side 30 runs away for victory with four wickets left. Robinson and Conway perished in the chase and Hanley settled for the losing draw.

Riaz bowling unchanged for 23 overs returned 5-95 and Churchill 19 overs taking 3-87.