Crown Taveners v Hurstbourne Priors.

Hurstbourne Priors produced an emphatic 136 run victory over relegation contenders Crown Taverners to safeguard their County 4 future.

Batting first Priors put on 89 for the first wicket as Steve Cady (46) hit his season’s best and was supported well by the recalled Steve Trinder (36).

John Comfort 1-28 provided the home side with stability from the pub end but Priors’ middle order pushed on with Mark Hamson and Jonathan Hopkinson both scoring freely.

Hopkinson in particular played a number of wristy flicks off his pads to hit fours through mid wicket while Mark Matthews dropped anchor and batted through for his 28.

The pitch was particularly slow but Priors reached 203-7 thanks to a huge six from Rajiv Kumar.

Crown Taverners’ response was immediately stalled as James Bayliss removed Page and Kumar followed up trapping Emmerson lbw.

With Priors’ paceman struggling for line and length Jonathan Hopkinson was introduced and made an immediate impact removing Walter.

Wickets continued to tumble with Hamson bowling Dibley in his second over. Hopkinson (4-23) and Hamson (4-3) than ran through the lower order and bowling them out for 67 and gaining 23 valuable points.