STEEPLE Langford kept their cool to claim only their second win of the season at the expense of Hartley Wintney seconds.

That much-needed eight wicket home victory moved them up to 13th in County Division 3 North.

Although the Langford pitch was once again in excellent condition, with the unsettled weather, skipper Andy Bennett asked Hartley Wintney to bat first on winning the toss.

The home side picked up an early wicket courtesy of a run out but then Hartley Wintney grafted out a second wicket stand of 43 against some accurate Langford bowling.

Opener Philpott (20) was then dismissed thanks to a brilliant catch behind the stumps by Pete Smith to leave them on 51 for 2. Luke Stephens and Tom Bennett then put the pressure on the batsmen with tight spells of bowling, Bennett unfortunate not to pick up a wicket with his 10 overs going for only 25. Stephens bowled a brilliant and disciplined 10 overs of swing taking 4 for 10 and having the batsmen completely tied up. Andy Bennett then brought himself on and quickly mopped up the tail, taking 4 for 9 from his six overs to leave the away team all out for 100 in the 39th over. The only other batsmen to get into double figures were Bowles (30) and an excellent hard earned 21 from 13 year old Brown.

In reply, Langford had one eye on the weather and Martin Grearson (29) and Tom Bennett put on 30 in six overs for the first wicket. They then lost the second wicket after 10 overs with 56 on the board before Adam McNeilly, with an aggressive unbeaten 45, and Chris Mundy knocked off the required runs at the start of the 18th over – the heavens opening as the players walked off.