MIKE Hunter scored a half century but his efforts were in vain as Hale Barns were convincingly beaten by Cheshire Cricket League Division One table toppers Romiley by five wickets at Brooks Drive.

Dave Saddington bowled a marathon 16-over spell that included eight maidens, but David Badrock’s unbeaten 36 ensured the away side reached the required target with relative ease.

A recurring theme continued for Barns as the top order failed to get runs on the board yet again, with opening batsmen Chris Colley and Joe Cooper both dismissed for ducks.

Shehan Fernando then followed for two, becoming Alex Hooton’s second victim, to reduce the hosts to 5-3 inside four overs.

Hunter provided stern resistance for a brief period of respite, but Ben Staniforth was unable to stick with him, departing for six with the score on 35-4.

Peter Stubbs joined Hunter at the crease and the pair steered the side away from embarrassment, adding 55 to the total as the team looked set to accelerate the scoring.

But from 90-4, Barns collapsed after James Bashford claimed the wicket of Stubbs for 15, with Hunter joining him in the pavilion moments later for a determined 65 as Andrew Humphries finally managed to get through his defences.

Humphries (3-35) and Bashford (3-15) then rattled through the lower order, before Hooton returned to the attack to take the final wicket to end with impressive figures of 3-3 from his 6.2 overs as Hale Barns ended on 110 all out.

Having posted just 110, Barns knew they had to make early inroads and Saddington produced the breakthrough, removing openers Tom Rolph (two) and Daniel Leech (two) to restrict the visitors to 10-2.

But Humphries provided a counter-attacking 33 from 28 balls and was ably assisted by the more patient David Badrock as Romiley looked comfortable at 53-2.

The momentum appeared to swing in favour of the home team when Callum Schora claimed the wicket of Humphries, while Saddington (3-18) dismissed James Badrock without troubling the scorers.

Stuart Milne (12) also came and went as Schora (2-42) added another to his tally to leave the game hanging in the balance at 68-5.

But despite Saddington’s best efforts, David Badrock (36 not out) and Jonny Holt (24no) held their nerve to see Romiley to 112-5 and secure the win inside 39 overs to all but assure their promotion.