ALL three of Redlynch and Hale's sides tasted defeat at the weekend.

In County Division 3 North, Ian Tanner's men hosted Liss and were soon on the backfoot.

Opposite number, Rich Pleace (Jnr), struck boundaries to all parts of the ground in a mellifluous display of batting, reaching 135 before falling to a smart catch by Jon Hatchett off Ben Brown.

Pleace really stole the show as teammates came and went around him. Tom Emm (3 - 53) and James Taylor, (2-68) got among the wickets, but the anchor role was played by Pleace as his side totalled 238-7.

In the run chase, Tanner, Dave Webber and Matt Truckle all fell cheaply, before James Benson, making his first-team debut, looked assured in a useful knock of 37 before having his bails trimmed by Jacob Heducker. Jack Vincent (31) and Taylor (30) kept up some sort of momentum, but Heducker struck again, removing both. The tail was unable to wag and closed out on 172.

It was a similar tale of woe for the seconds, who were at Great Durnford for the Regional Division 2 West encounter. The home side reached 204-8, largely thanks to B. Spence who was bowled by Will Hewlett (3-52) on 99. Andy Soutar (2-31) and Rich Whitmarsh ((2-34) getting among the wickets. In reply, early wickets gave the visitors a set back, before Guy Lucas (25) and Jack Cobern (21) restored some order. However, skipper Stan Boardman was left 25 not out as R. Spence (3-49), B. Rouse (2-26) and Richardson (2-35) closed the innings out on a lowly 127.

The clubs thirds were in a thrilling finish at Dinton seconds where some really tight bowling restricted the visitors to 120-8, with Michael Brown 33 not out and 3-25 for B. Coombs. In reply, youngster Jack Subocinski sent down 10-6-4-9 to keep things tight, but an aggressive knock by D. Baber (44) helped his side reach the target with just eight balls in hand.