HARTLEY Wintney’s overseas star Henry Collier took a hat-trick, but it was in vain as his side lost to visiting St Cross Syms II, by two wickets in Southern League Division Two.

The home side batted first and made a good start as openers Matt Kerr (16) and Henry Collier (62) put on 60 for the first wicket.

Skipper Danny Plume (44) and Collier carried on the good work, as they took the score to 102, before Collier was the first of three victims for Thomas Veillard Plume and Jonny Rowland (21) kept the scoreboard ticking over as Hartley reached 149 in the 32nd over, before both were out in the same Veillard over.

The home side tried to rebuild, Jamie Teale making a useful 22, but Stephen Mitchell (4-54) made sure the score did not get too high as Hartley had to settle for 226-9 from their 50 overs.

The St Cross reply did not start well, as Will Ross removed opener Brad Aldridge in the opening over.

However, Paul Hawkins (73) and Daniel Young (49) got them into the driving seat with a second wicket stand worth 124.

The pair were parted by Collier (5-34) and he then dismissed David Orchard.

The fifth over for Hartley’s New Zealander proved to be a memorable one, as first he bowled Daniel Young, then next ball Matt Hawath gave up a catch to Jamie Teale.

The same combination struck again as Collier completed his hat-trick with the scalp of Alex Aymes.

At 141-6 Hartley were back in the game and a brace of wickets from Dan Reynaldo saw St Cross add just even more runs.

However, it was not to be Hartley’s day as an unbroken ninth wicket stand between Harry Foyle (41) and number nine Mitchell (44) saw the visitors home with two overs to spare.

Hartley have a trip to South Wilts II next weekend.