They posted a decent 270-8 at Longparish’s idyllic ground alongside the River Test, but their hosts got home in a frantic finish having been asked to chase a rain adjusted 238 off 44 overs.
As usual, US batted well enough with Shas Jayashinhe (40) complimenting a fruitful second wicket stand between Tom May (54) and Sam Mallinson, who made 77 off 60 balls.
Will de Cani (63) and Michael Taplin (28) got Parish away to a flier, but the loss of three quick wickets before a six-over rain break left 238 as the adjusted target.
Former Locks Heath all-rounder Jack Levy defied a bout of cramp to spank a quick-fire 75 and add precious runs with St Cross Symondians raised colt Jonnie Wahid (27).
But with the score 236-7, it was left to 17-year old Sturt to hit the winning four, much to the delight of his team-mates and watching father Bob, a Parish Lord’s legend.
Captain Matt Easton, whose side led County 1 for most of last season, is baffled why his team can’t win.
“We’ve scored best part of 1,000 runs in our five games, four of which have been close, but we’ve not been able to get over the line,” he sighed.
Hook & Newnham Basics’ win over visiting Shrewton was just as close – by one run !
Hook successfully defended 270-8 based around Nick Willcock (72) and teenager Alex Brown (57).
Will Harries (56) and Will Sleeman (47) responded for the Shrews, who finished one short at 269-9, Kish Parmar taking 3-45.
Portsmouth & Southsea and Ropley both maintained their unbeaten starts – but in differing circumstances.
P & S won by a comfortable 53-run margin at Hythe & Dibden, but Ropley were made to work hard for their two-wicket win chasing 135 at New Milton.
Matt Benfield (89) and brother Tom (47) improved on the fine start provided by Jack Davies (70) as P & S raced to 291-6 at Jones Lane.
Openers Inam Agha (59) and Matt Young (55) put the Watersiders in contention but after their 108-run start, the challenge petered away to 238 all out, Ben Saunders returning 4-53.
Josh Arnold, with 55 and a 3-15 return, provided a formidable presence for New Milton II against promotion hopefuls Ropley.
He held the Green & Golds together after a new ball blast from Ed Stennett (3-33) but, having departed at 94-7, was grateful to see Matt Baker and Dave Crossley add some precious runs at the end.
Arnold then removed Ropley’s top three before Australian Jack Ireland (28) and Alex Spencer (41) righted the ship.
New Milton refused to lie down and snared seven Ropley wickets before conceding defeat.
OTs & Romsey drove a spoke in Lymington’s sound start by beating the visiting New Forest club by 39 runs at the Romsey Sports Centre.
OTs struck a healthy 241-9 with Nick Destefano (51) and Stu Shapland (43) top scoring.
Australian Billy Quigley (3-45) and one-time OTs leg-spinner Oli Kelly (3-56) took six of the nine wickets to fall.
But Lymington were restricted to 202-9 in reply (Drew Robinson 44), with Shapland taking 4-28.
Bishop’s Waltham went on a scoring spree, rattling up 317-6 before bowling youthful Rowledge II out for 161 at Albany Road.
The bulk of the damage was caused by Haider Khan, who smashed 81 off 52 balls, including four sixes and nine fours. Henry Barrett’s unbeaten 42 came off 25 deliveries.
Long beaten, Rowledge dropped to 161 all out, with Sam Medhurst taking 3-26.
Improving Fareham & Crofton, who visit Rowledge today, toasted a third straight win, beating Sarisbury Athletic II by four wickets at Bath Lane.
They ought to have won by a more comfortable margin having bowled Sarisbury out for 170, but lost three wickets after Sam Stoddart (69) and Aussie teen Reece Abrams (28) had taken them to within touching distance of the tape.
The two island sides – Ryde and Ventnor II – had cause for celebration.
Ryde out-gunned Burridge to win by 123 runs at Hardings Shute and Ventnor beat visiting St Cross Symondians III by five wickets.
Ben Wadmore (62), who is enjoying a fine season, and Josh Asher (48) top scored as Ryde, having been 64-3, rallied to make 256-7 (Ben Gregory 36).
Burridge were out of the contest at 59-5 and were eventually dismissed for 133, Ryan Hall (5-32) and Stuart Robertson (3-25) inflicting the damage.
KES student Tom Fay (108) hit a century in St Cross Symondans’ 180, but after Steve Fryer (3-30) had created inroads, Ventnor pair Hugh Calloway (88) and Martin Blackman (47) polished off the target.