NEW signing John Anderson scored an unbeaten half-century to steer Hatley & Arrington to victory in their opening game of the season at home to Thriplow, on Sunday. The visitors batted first but found scoring difficult in the face of accurate bowling by W

NEW signing John Anderson scored an unbeaten half-century to steer Hatley & Arrington to victory in their opening game of the season at home to Thriplow, on Sunday.

The visitors batted first but found scoring difficult in the face of accurate bowling by Will Perry (1-17) and Steve Hooley (2-27), even though Hatley were hampered by the early loss of seam bowler Matt Knibbs with the recurrence of a calf injury sustained in pre-season training.

Thriplow's main contributors with the bat were Daniel Carr (20), Jerry Jackson (33), Nathan Sugden (22) and Nick Cliffe (26 not out).

However, with Hatley spinners Frank Hooley and Tim Davenport each taking a wicket and sharp fielding claiming three run-outs, Thriplow could only make 149-8 from their 40 overs.

Batting in increasingly murky conditions, Hatley also struggled to make quick runs and steadily lost wickets. However, opening batsman Anderson stood firm with a patient 76 not out and he found a solid partner in all-rounder Davenport (19 not out) to see the home side win by four wickets.

Richie Turner was the pick of the Thriplow bowlers with 3-36, and they will look to continue their good start on Sunday when they host Longstowe, with a 2pm start.