A FINE all-round performance by the Bosbury team brought about a six-wicket victory against Hay Seconds on Saturday.

BOSBURY v HAY II

Visiting side Hay won the toss and decided to bat on a hot and sultry afternoon. But it was they who were made to toil in the heat as opening bowlers Steve Davies and Jon Owen kept a tight rein on the scoring, as the first ten overs resulted in just 16 runs being scored.

The build up of pressure finally led to R Prosser (5) being bowled by Jon Owen, and in Owen's next over, the new batsman, C Griffiths, tried to keep a short delivery down but succeeded only in punching the ball to Steve Davies at short square leg, with the score now 18-2.

N Price joined opener Evans Bevan. This pair steadily put together a 48-run partnership that ended in the 25th over as Price was drawn down the wicket to Alan Lancett and was smartly stumped by keeper Paul Allen for 27.

T Jones was bowled shortly after by Steve Davies for one and Lancett got some turn and bowled T Davies for four. C Rees then came out to join Evans Bevan with the score on 77-5. After playing himself in, Rees began to hit the ball hard and picked up some boundaries, including a big straight six off Mark Wadley, as the Hay pair accelerated in the last ten overs.

Evans Bevan, having scored a patient 57, was run out in the final over as Luke Ledbury and Paul Allen combined to finish off a fine day in the field for Bosbury, as Hay posted a total of 155- 6, with Rees ending on 46 not out, and Steve Davies's 12 overs costing just 12 runs.

In reply, Bosbury openers Gary Fletcher and Merv Carless once again made a solid start to the innings and, thanks to some wide bowling from the Hay opening bowlers, posted the 50 partnership before Fletcher was bowled by T Jones for 10. Dave Daffin joined Merv Carless who was once again looking in fine form before he holed out at deep square leg off T Jones for 28. Luke Ledbury was next in, and he too hit one in the air, this time to the deep mid-wicket boundary where he was caught by Probert off T Jones again, for 11. Dave Daffin dropped anchor as next man in Steve Davies came in prepared to play his shots and picking up some boundaries in return. The pair put on 54 for the 4th wicket before Daffin played an uncharacteristic shot across the line, missed and was bowled by Evans Bevan for 21 with the victory total in sight. Steve Davies continued to play a fine captain's innings to steer Bosbury to victory, but it was Mark Wadley who hit a four for the winning runs, leaving Davies not out on 47. For Hay, T. Jones had spun the ball well and he finished with 3-43.

Bosbury picked up vital points for the win, keeping them in the top spot in the Marches League Division 5A, going into the last game tomorrow (Saturday) away against Hay II.