Haltam leads Hook to winning draw (From Western Telegraph)

Haltam leads Hook to winning draw

Lawrenny (196 for 7) drew with Hook (206 for 7) Umpires: Dave Brandon and Tony Davies Scorers: Malcolm Thomas/Joe Dring and Joy James

A powerfully-struck 81 by Mick Haltam helped Hook gain the better of the draw at Lawrenny, who were boosted by the return, after a long spell of injury, by Steve Lewis.

Haltam shared an opening stand of 62 with Matthew Rowlands and then an even bigger partnership of 92 with Gary Martin before he was out with ten fours to his credit and having reached his half century from 81 balls.

Martin followed just a single short of a deserved fifty when he was well caught by Ian Jenkins off Steve Rees, who also claimed the other prized scalp of Keith James as part of a 3 for 29 haul alongside James Buckle's 2 for 32 as James and Brennan Lay managed double figures in the inevitable late Hook charge.

Lawrenny also started well via Andrew Cole (senior), Simon Cole and James Buckle to stand at 57 for 1, with Buckle sharing a productive spell of batting with Christian Phillips which produced a further 53 runs before Phillips departed for 32.

Ian Jenkins also contributed 23 before he was run out and Steve Lewis added 14 runs - but Lawrenny gradually lost momentum, and wickets, as Wayne Griffiths, Gary Martin and Andrew Thomas shared six wickets.

But Buckle remained steadfast with an unbeaten 66 (seven fours), his 50 coming off 69 deliveries - and Lawrenny finished with an honourable draw, just 11 runs short of their target in an entertaining tussle.