Kingsley 110ao Hartford 123ao

THE bowlers were stars as Hartford cemented themselves into second place in Division One.

The weather and the wicket suggested it might a day for batsmen, but both sides bowled brilliantly to prevent heavy scoring.

Good opening spells from Adrian Burdon and Rob Massey (2-32) put Kingsley on top as the visitors slumped to 30-3.

Ben Stott continued his good form with the bat and top scored with 37, and Brian Harkin chipped in with 20 before Kingsley put a stranglehold on the run-scoring. Dave Whyke picked up 3-38 and Matt Ollier 4-41 as Hartford limped to a seemingly inadequate total.

Kingsley thought they could cruise to the target and over-confidence affected their batting perfor mance.

Graham Prew picked up two early wickets as the hosts also stumbled to 20-3.

Harkin was miserly and instrumental in trying to force up the required run rate, but it wasn't until he switched ends that he really looked like taking wickets.

Ollier top scored for Kingsley with 28, but Massey offered the only other resistance as Harkin picked up 4-37 in 20 overs, and Rob Whittle took 4-28.