A MAN OF THE MATCH performance from Tommy Woltstenholme-Williams could not save Ley Hill from defeat against a powerful Wendover side on Wednesday night.

Tommy bowled a magnificent spell to take three wickets for just two runs as he helped restrict Wendover to 241-8 in a game reduced to 15 overs a side by rain.

Bowling first at Wendover's Ellesborough Road ground, the early Ley Hill bowlers had to cope with a very wet outfield and wet ball, which made control extremely difficult.

They were helped by a brilliant fielding display, which saw wicketkeeper Max Lee take a sharp catch behind the stumps, James Asquith score a direct hit runout and captain-for-the-day Fergus Allan produce a brilliant throw to Max for another runout. Jamie Cullen also took a wicket in a hostile spell.

The Ley Hill batsmen never really got going against some very tight bowling, despite impressive displays from Tommy, Scott Barrett, Bert Wade and Christian Partington.

The final pairing of Dominique Puddephatt and Spencer Biddle stood up brilliantly to some fierce pace bowling from Wendover as Ley Hill closed on 211-5, to go down by 30 runs under Barrington Rules.

Skipper Fergus said: "We did a lot better than in our last game but we know we can improve a lot more. We worked well as a team and our fielding has really improved. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we click.

"It was great to hear our team give each other so much encouragement. Despite the recent results, we've got a really strong spirit in the squad and we will definitely improve."

Tim Allan