AFTER a narrow defeat a fortnight ago at the hands of St Mary's Old Boys, Hale 1sts seized the chance for revenge with a seven-wicket victory.
Batting first, on a good wicket, St Mary's struggled against the Hale bowling attack of Peter Withers and Chris Sutcliffe. Smith was Sutcliffe's first victim, Peter Sharpe taking a good catch with the score on five.
Leyland fell four runs later, after surviving an earlier shout for a catch behind, to become Sutcliffe's second wicket - trapped in front for six.
With the score on 9-2, Hale turned the screw by restricting the St Mary's batsmen to very few boundaries through excellent fielding.
Nolan, coming in at three, survived an lbw shout on four and went on to make 33 before skying an easy catch for wicketkeeper Billy Morris.
Wayne Burgess claimed this vital wicket, replacing Sutcliffe at the Pavilion End.
The other batsmen were never allowed to settle and Hale held their catches to dismiss St Mary's for 91 in the 49th over. Withers (2-36 from 20 overs) toiled well for little reward, missing the bat on numerous occasions, while Sutcliffe (3-26 from 14 overs) kept a tight line and length.
But Burgess, with his gentle spin, was the pick of the Hale bowlers with 4-25 from 13 overs.
After tea, in the gathering gloom, Hale's openers of Ste Morgan and Robbie Morris set about getting the required runs.
Morris was caught in the fourth over with the score on 13. Gaz Jones, at three, played an anchor roll for Morgan, who was determined to get some runs after failing in the previous encounter.
They added 41 runs for the second wicket before Morgan was caught for 38.
This brought Sharpe to the crease and he and Jones steadied the ship. But in the 26th over, with the score on 71, Jones also found a fielder and was caught for 23.
With 21 runs still needed for victory, Neil Bowden joined Sharpe - and they secured the win in the 32nd over. Bowden finished on 13 not out, with Sharpe unbeaten on nine.
