HALE Barns first XI suffered a resounding defeat to promotion-chasing Haslington in Cheshire Cricket League Division One after they were unable to recover from being bowled out cheaply.

Joe Cooper claimed three victims, but it was not enough to earn a victory as Barns fell four wickets short of defending the low total.

Hale endured a difficult start to the game when Jack Taylor (3-17) ripped through the top order, taking three early wickets to restrict the visitors to 28-3.

Mike Hunter and Ben Staniforth attempted to rebuild the innings and developed a solid partnership with some stern resistance, putting on 30 together.

But Hunter’s resolve finally broke when Tom Gledhill sent him back to the pavilion for 21 and the bowler soon gained another one to put the away team in deep trouble on 68-5.

Staniforth (25) continued his determined knock as he and James Fullerton-Batten (12) began to accumulate some runs, but Gledhill was not to be denied as both were removed in quick succession.

Ben Istead (1-8) got a wicket of his own and Gledhill (6-32) completed a magnificent spell by wrapping things up with two more batsmen departing as Barns posted just 95 all out from 35.4 overs.

In reply, Jordan Sealey elected to approach the run chase in an aggressive manner by targeting boundaries, but Dave Saddington (2-18) produced two early dismissals to give Hale a hint of hope.

Sealey hit eight fours to race onto 36 until he was dismissed by Joe Fretwell-Walsh (1-14) with the score on 55-3.

Cooper then announced his arrival to the attack with a trio of wickets, including Jack Taylor for 26, but at 82-6 Haslington were almost over the line.

And it did not take long for the hosts to secure the win as they reached the required total after just 20.5 overs to drop Barns to sixth in the league.