RYLANDS have suffered their first defeat of the season after falling to a 63-run home loss to Hartford.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on a hot day at Gorsey Lane, meaning Rylands spent a long afternoon in the field as Hartford racked up the runs.

Richard Buck led the way for the hosts with 5-61 and Alan Brady also chipped in with 4-78, but the visitors were able to set Rylands a victory target of 238.

The hosts started well in pursuit of the runs, with Brady and Eddie Platt putting on over 100 for the first wicket until Brady fell for 41.

The run chase faltered after that and the game became about survival and reaching a target of 175 for maximum batting points.

They achieved that with two overs to spare, but the tenth wicket followed shortly after as the hosts’ unbeaten record went up in smoke.