AFTER last week’s superb victory Hartley Wintney came back to earth with a bang, as they lost by seven wickets at Langley Manor.

It started so well for the village side who were put into bat.

Rajeev Nair (35) and last week’s century hero Jason Knibbs (19) put on 54 for the first wicket, before South African Knibbs was bowled by Jack Budd.

Nair and Darren McBride then moved the score to 71, but that was when it all started to go wrong.

Nair was ran out by Conor Browne and with only one run added both McBride and Indy Chakrabati were back in the pavilion.

The bowlers continued to have the upper hand as Budd finished with 3-28 and Tom Spencer 3-22.

Only Matt Digweed (11) and Mark Teale (12) made it into double figures as Hartley were all out for 141.

However, the home side’s reply got off to the worst possible start as captain Will Ross got rid of Spencer and Oliver Knight without scoring.

Knibbs then had Nicholas Doubell trapped leg before making it 33-3.

However, an unbroken partnership between home skipper Browne (66) and Steve Harris (44) saw them to victory in the 35th over.

Hartley will hope to return to winning ways when they entertain Paultons this Saturday.