Hem Heath fall into drop zone as battle for safety intensifies

DEFENDING champions Hem Heath dropped into the NSSCL Premier A relegation zone after losing at Meakins.

- Chris Travers

Greg Prime's side have lifted the title for the past two seasons, but now face a battle to preserve their topflight status following their 10th defeat of the campaign.

Oliver Tucker was the star of the show for Meakins, who continued their fine form to sit in fourth place, just 13 points off the summit.

Tucker was in excellent form with the bat first of all as he compiled 54, featuring nine fours and one six, in Meakins’ 154 all out.

Skipper Jack Hammond (40) lent valuable support, while Prime captured 3-32 for the visitors.

Liam Banks, Tom Hodson and Callum Leese all struck twice for Hem Heath.

Several Hem Heath batsmen made starts on the resumption with Alex Price, Zephryn Hunte and Tom Hodson all making 17.

Matthew Hodson and Banks chipped in with 15 and 12 respectively, but their side were bundled out for 121.

Spinner Tucker completed a fine individual day by scooping 5-37, backed up by Karl High's 3-29 anda couple of wickets for Jalat Khan.

The defeat saw Hem Heath end the day in the bottom two, butina congested table, they are a mere 20 points adrift of fifth-placed Longton.

Audley duo Freddie Doorbar and Jack Redman both hit centuries in their side’s much-needed victory over Porthill Park.

Audley had topped the table earlier in the season, but went into Saturday's encounter in the bottom two.

However, they managed to exit the relegation zone after an impressive performance.

Doorbar made 115 not out, hitting 14 fours, while Redman struck an unbeaten 107, featuring 10 boundaries and two sixes, as Audley amassed 259-1.