HARTLEY Wintney were unable to build on last week’s victory, as they lost at home by 15 runs in a high scoring contest with visiting Fair Oak.

Having been put into bat, the visitors made a good start as openers Will Hughes (14) and Rufus Bullough (89) put on 63 for the first wicket.

Bullogh proved to be the thorn in Hartley’s side, as the Fair Oak innings was built around his excellent 93-ball knock, which saw him hit 15 fours and one maximum.

This was the reason at the drinks break, that the home side made the unusual decision to change their wicketkeeper as Hugo Hammond took over behind the stumps from Will Kerr.

The move paid off as Kerr (3-22) then removed top scorer Bullogh caught behind by Hammond and this stopped the flow of runs for a while.

Richard Featherstone did add a useful 24 not out at the end, as Fair Oak were bowled out for 242, when it looked like they would get over 300.

Hartley opener Kerr then topped the score for the home side with 65, which included 10 fours and one six as Hartley started the run chase.

He departed with the score on 118 and this brought together Indy Chakrabati (38) and Jamie Teale (55) and they added 75 for the fifth wicket.

Teale was in a very explosive mood as his innings came off 57 balls and saw him hit four maximums as well as three fours.

However, the home side were still behind the run rate and in the end fell short as they finished on 227-7.

This coming weekend, Hartley are away at Totton and Eling.