Redlynch & Hale's first XI had a nail biting victory over Kerala (Portsmouth) CC at Woodfalls Cross on Saturday by just three runs.

The clubs other sides were returning to Headquarters after their games and swelled the excited group of spectators already gathered as the tension mounted.

Earlier in the day, Kerala asked their hosts to bat and looked to be causing problems as the top three all fell to leave it 59-3.

But skipper Andy Soutar (55) and Charlie Everett (31) anchored the innings in a stand of 73.

The tail added a few to leave a modest 173-8 and something to bowl at.

Nearly an hours play was lost thanks to rain and a Duckworth-Lewis revised target of 137 from 30 overs was set.

George Hayes was quickly brought on after Jos Carreras went for 11 in his first over and his beguiling leg spin soon accounted for the top three batters at 43-3.

Jack Sobucinski (2-36) chipped in but Hayes was still whirling away accounting for Benel Benny (16) and Akshay NV for a duck, to claim his five-fer.

With the score on 68-7 it all looked over, but it began to drizzle and the visitors skipper Baiju Kurian (29*) started swinging the willow.

Hayes claimed yet another to end his spell on 6-26, but Kurian and number 10 Jindy Mathai (25) added 46 for the ninth wicket before the latter skied to mid off where Sobucinski took an excellent running catch to the delight of the home spectators; 130-9.

A handful needed but inexplicably, with three overs remaining and four to win, Kurian took a single off Soutar's first ball, leaving number 11, five to face.

He nicked the first one behind and Ian Tanner grabbed a fine catch to roars of delight from his team and most people watching - just in time as the rain was now falling steadily.

The second team's game at Broadchalke didn't survive the rain and was abandoned.

The third XI could only muster 101 all out, Jonny Drayson 32 on debut, at OT's & Romsey IV . The target was overhauled for the loss of just two wickets, Richard Barlow (2-27).