Leaders Parley have played only five times (and won them all) three less than Sway, who romped to an eighth successive victory Burridge.
Once again HCL fixture secretary Stewart Frazier has written a perfect script – the potential title decider all set for the penultimate weekend of the season !
Parley’s latest success was a six-wicket win over Old Basing, who suffered a third successive defeat in the process, that after making such a fine start.
Nick Willcock (50) rattled off his fifth half-century of the season – and took his run aggregate to 375 from seven knocks – as Old Basing posted 161-8.
But an unbeaten 56 by Tom Saunders, aided by skipper Shane Green (40), eased Parley home with time to spare.
Tim Noble (63) took his season’s tally to 298 and with middle-order support from Dave Steadman (35) and Will Crossley (46) took Sway to a winning 223-5 against Burridge II, who were pegged to 154-9, Dan Bailey taking 4-19 after a miserly opening spell by Jon Waller (2-19).
Ben Walker was unable to travel to Chapel Gate for Havant’s Southern Premier Division defeat by Bournemouth, but he turned out for the club’s second team with devastating effect.
He made 90 of Havant’s 205-5 and alter took 4-13 as Bournemouth, given a great lift by Ollie Shrubsole (62) and Freddie Oldfield (44) tumbled from 124-1 to 186 all out and a 19-run defeat.
Winton, promoted from CD2 in 2019, were badly hindered by the weather early doors, but are now fifth after Matt Clark’s unbeaten 88 inspired a 63-run win over Portsmouth II.
Jamie Mitchell (60) responded for Portsmouth, who were rolled out for 124, Charlie May taking 4-18 and former Bashley (Rydal) offie Sam Thomson 3-20.
Free from teaching commitments, Alan Whitman inspired St Cross Symondians’ 40-run victory over Andover, initially with the bat then the ball.
His 91 rescued St Cross from a tricky 85-5 (Aiden Jansen 3-18) and guided them to 196 – a total Andover looked like passing after Max Godson’s 66 had taken their reply to 111-3.
But triple wicket returns by Steve Fryer (3-22) and magic man Whitman (3-13) saw seven poles go over for 45 runs and Alton collapse to 156 all out.
Tom Sykes hit a league best 82 and shared a 110-opening stand with Axel Deen 54 as Lymington II chased down Alton’s 220-6 (Joe Paul 89*) to win by five wickets.
Compton & Chandler’s Ford and Hursley Park both celebrated their first wins.
CCF dropped from 117-4 to 138 all out before skittling Easton & Martyr Worthy for a meagre 59, Matt Scorey taking 4-9 and Andy Gorty 3-19.
It didn’t look as though Hurley Park’s 178-6 would be enough when Longparish advanced to 116-2, but the Test Valley visitors lost their way and finished 12 runs adrift at 166-7.
Hursley’s total was based around Paul Davies (66) and Matt Branford (42), with Tom Trinder (37), Ben Gardner (34*) and Scott Sturt (32) unable to do enough to get Parish across the line.