Hale Barns First XI suffered a dramatic collapse with the bat to suffer a resounding 128-run defeat to Brooklands CC in the Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2.
Joe Cooper was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while youngster Sam Smith claimed three victims, but visiting captain AJ Hart was the star of the show with bat and ball to lead Brooklands to victory.
Barns won the toss and elected to field and produced the first breakthrough through Dave Saddington (1-23), who removed David Cunliffe for 16 with 45 runs on the board.
Opener Jack Bagshaw looked in good touch and was approaching a half century when Smith sent him back to the pavilion for 45 and Barns were soon on top as they reduced the away team to 108-6.
However, Hart was in fine form and guided Brooklands to a competitive total with an excellent 70 before Smith (3-40) finally brought his knock to an end, while Cooper (4-62) claimed four dismissals, including Caleb Jones for 21, as the hosts were set 186 to win from 51 overs.
Hale’s response stuttered from the off as both openers departed with the score on just 13. Khurram Hussain became the first batsman to reach double figures but wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with four batters out for ducks.
The home side dropped from 32-4 to 32-7, with Hussain also falling for 17 as Hart (4-29) gained his fourth dismissal. Vice-captain Christian Dodson was the only other batsman to offer any form of sustained resistance with 15, but Jones wrapped up the innings in style by claiming a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5-24 as Barns were all out for just 57.
The Second XI did provide reason to cheer with their first win of the season, overcoming Port Sunlight CC with an impressive four-wicket victory.