HARTLEY WINTNEY enjoyed a two wicket win to open their Southern League Division Two campaign at Sparsholt.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat and Rhys Batcup (2-12) struck early on to remove Michael Haworth.

Sparsholt found it tough going with the bat and no one in the top five made 20 and they looked in big trouble at 93-7.

This was thanks mostly to Jamie Teale (3-34) backed up well by Scott Baldwin (1-28) from 10 overs and Henry Collier (2-24).

Jeremy Frith with a run-a-ball 35 helped to give his side some hope as in the end they were bowled out for 149.

Hartley’s reply started with the quick dismissal of Will Kerr for two, but this brought skipper Danny Plume to the centre and along with Collier they built the platform for victory.

Collier in his league debut hit a superb 79 from 77 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes.

Plume (17), meanwhile played the back-up role as the pair enjoyed a century stand for the second wicket.

However, in the space of five runs both players were dismissed as Frith (6-21) tried his hardest to win his side the game.

Scott Baldwin (13) and Will Ross (7) managed to help the score along to 137, but at 141-8 it became a very tense affair.

It was left to James Beckwith who smashed the final six of the game along with Ben Hyde to make sure of victory with 10 overs to spare.

Hartley open their home campaign next weekend, when St Cross II are the visitors.