AFTER six successive defeats, Slingsby must have been delighted to record their first victory of the season at High Farndale.

But they could not have imagined the surprising 50-run margin of success nor the drama which ended with High Farndale being dismissed for just 12 runs.

On a damp evening, High Farndale asked Slingsby to bat first, hoping to restrict their scoring on a slow wicket. But things didn't quite go to plan as Slingsby had scored a very respectable 62-4 at the end of the mandatory 18 overs. Peter Stark played well for an unbeaten 41, supported by A Lange (10no).

High Farndale were still confident of success as openers Kevin Wilson and James Blacklock strode to the crease. But both climbed the steep slope back to the pavilion without a run scored and panic began to set in among their colleagues.

Slingsby bowlers M Foster and R Hindby simply tore through the opposition, who surrendered meekly as five of the top six batsmen failed to trouble the scorers.

The scoreboard displayed a sickly five runs for nine wickets until a last-wicket stand of seven runs between Geoff Eborall and Chris Wilson at least took the High Farndale total into double figures.

High Farndale gave a much better performance when they entertained Harome five days later, but they lost by five runs.

Another damp evening and slow wicket made it difficult for Harome, whose 57-8 was below par. Only John Dobson (17no) came to terms with the conditions, although Harome were helped significantly by High Farndale conceding 17 extras. Adam Robinson bowled well, taking 3-9 in his four overs.

High Farndale's reply started well, but once Kevin Wilson (15) and Rob Atkinson (12) were out, their inexperienced batsmen couldn't cope and the run chase fell apart.

Pete Wilson was as economical as ever for Harome with 2-7 from his five overs, but A Windress did most of the damage with 5-14.

Slingsby's batsmen showed a big improvement at home to Spout House, but lost by nine wickets.

Peter Stark (21), M Foster (13) and R Hindby (12) all made useful contributions to the Slingsby total of 84-6. The high point of the evening was the two overs bowled by Spout House's Robin Garbutt, whose impressive figures of 4-5 included a hat-trick. Matthew Garbutt took the other two wickets for 16 runs.

The first three Spout House batsmen all played soundly. Robin Garbutt (29) was the only wicket to fall and D Smith (33no) and J Allison (21no) carried on the good work as Spout House maintained their lead at the top of the table.