Seven days after leapfrogging to the CD1 summit for the first time in 42 years, they were rushed out for 95 and roundly beaten by 135 runs at fourth-placed Longparish.
Harry Martin, pictured, returned from a school teaching assignment in China to wreck the Watersiders with a spell of 6-17 – Jack Levy (91) and Barry Blackmore (55) having earlier helped Longparish to 230-5.
Hythe’s first defeat of the summer enabled Fareham & Crofton to take over the leader’s yellow jersey.
A week after being bowled out for an all-time low 40 at Parley, Fareham bounced back to post 308-9, a total which proved 21 runs too many for visiting Ropley.
Australian James Heiniger (83), Dan Wimble (75) and Tom Kent (47) led the way for Fareham, who were in danger of being beaten while South African Tim Niemand (81) and Robert Smith (64) were together.
Later it was the run out of Chris Rait (39) that tipped the scales, Fareham’s Ben White (pictured) finishing their innings at 287 with a hat-trick.
Hursley Park snatched a thrilling one-wicket win at United Services (193-7), while teenage duo Josh Balcombe (5-17) and Jack Robson, with an unbeaten 57, led Hook & Newnham Basics II to a nine-wicket win over Andover II.
Parley’s rise continued with a five-wicket win at Rowledge (203-9), where Sam Ayres (67) and Alex Nippard (47) saw the long distance travellers home. The inspirational Sam Collins (broken finger) remains sidelined for Parley.
Morgan Smith (69), Steve Fryer (50) and Steve Berryman (49) paved the way as St Cross Symondians III posted 273-9 before seeing off Ryde for 273-9, Cameron Mitchell scoring 84.
Shrewton were architects of their own demise at Bishops Waltham, gifting their hosts a staggering 74 extras, 38 wides and 24 byes !
Gratefully received, Bishops piled up 285-8 (Suhaib Ahmad 61) and then bowled Shrewton out for 214, Will Harries top scoring with 62.
Alton II’s 256-6 (Tommy Green 65, Howard Gadsby 62) proved to many for Burridge 180 (Dam Damley-Jones 50, Andy Field 40), while Easton & Martyr Worthy (175) bowled OTs & Romsey out for 129 (Matt Easton 47*) to win by 46 runs.