Fair Oak boast the only unbeaten record in the Southern Premier League after inflicting a crushing 123-run defeat on South Wilts seconds at Lapstone Park.
It was their fifth straight win, one which has yielded a 14-point lead over Bashley (Rydal) II, who checked Hambledon’s four-match winning sequence with an eight-wicket victory at Ridge Meadow.
A James Wade (3-38) brace had Oaks on the back foot for a while, but Ed Kemp (45) and Tom Hockenhull (32) restored parity.
Rob Pittman (3-40) and Tom Pearce created inroads to leave Oaks an uncertain 136-6, but Rufus Bullough (31) and Gregor McKenzie (23) got them to 201 all out and a fourth batting bonus point.
South Wilts put up little resistance, collapsing from 31-1 to 78 all out, Rhys Oxley taking 5-23 and Ross Stewart and Charlie Gwynn two wickets each.
Beaten by Fair Oak in their opening match, Hambledon had won four games in a row – but came a cropper when second placed Bashley (Rydal) II thumped them by eight wickets.
The Dons lost two early wickets, but rallied through Simon Barnard (34) and more particularly Portsmouth Grammar School’s Alex Willoughby, whose 65 contained a maiden SPL half-century.
Despite Ross Grierson taking 3-26 (in addition to three smart catches), Hambledon progressed to 177-8, with Spencer le Clerq hitting 45 not out.
Hambledon were confident of defending their score, but were unable to control the Bashley run flow, initiated by the enterprising Patrick Lewis (37), who is developing into a fine prospect.
Bashley were already well set at 84-2 when Chris Vaughan, left-Terry Nash (56) and Phil Morris (42) came together to guide the visitors home without further loss and with eight overs to spare.
Lymington IIs first win in four matches – by 42 runs – left Fawley anchored to the bottom without success in five attempts.
Fawley were threatening Lymington’s 236-8 while Andy Parratt (45) and Kumodak Sharma (46) were together at 102-1, but once they were parted the innings fell away to 194 all out.
Earlier, Ollie Kelly (32) and Syed Agha (58) took Lymington to 87-1 before three wickets fell for one run, leaving Tommy Barton (37) and the middle-order to rebuild the innings.
Newly promoted Portsmouth & Southsea had been struggling to put scores together – but it all came good when they ran up a hefty 264-6 at Purbrook.
Teenager Oli Kanavan, with a best yet 71, built on the work of brothers Matt (48) and Tom (44) Benfield to guide P & S to a season’s best total, one far beyond Purbrook, who were bowled out for 89 (Josh McCoy 32), Ben Saunders taking 4-22.
Patrick Mattison is marking his return to Havant in style, following up his 46 against South Wilts II with an unbeaten 123 which set up a handy 29-run win over Gosport Borough at Privett Park.
He carried his bat through Havant’s 217-6, hitting three sixes and nine fours and didn’t get much support until Richard Jerry (38) arrived at the crease.
Gosport sniffed a chance at 143-3, but lost seven wickets for 46 runs, the last four for 15.
Charlie Pennicott (36), Greg Kitchin (33) and Lee Harrop (32) top scored.
It was their fifth straight win, one which has yielded a 14-point lead over Bashley (Rydal) II, who checked Hambledon’s four-match winning sequence with an eight-wicket victory at Ridge Meadow.
A James Wade (3-38) brace had Oaks on the back foot for a while, but Ed Kemp (45) and Tom Hockenhull (32) restored parity.
Rob Pittman (3-40) and Tom Pearce created inroads to leave Oaks an uncertain 136-6, but Rufus Bullough (31) and Gregor McKenzie (23) got them to 201 all out and a fourth batting bonus point.
South Wilts put up little resistance, collapsing from 31-1 to 78 all out, Rhys Oxley taking 5-23 and Ross Stewart and Charlie Gwynn two wickets each.
Beaten by Fair Oak in their opening match, Hambledon had won four games in a row – but came a cropper when second placed Bashley (Rydal) II thumped them by eight wickets.
The Dons lost two early wickets, but rallied through Simon Barnard (34) and more particularly Portsmouth Grammar School’s Alex Willoughby, whose 65 contained a maiden SPL half-century.
Despite Ross Grierson taking 3-26 (in addition to three smart catches), Hambledon progressed to 177-8, with Spencer le Clerq hitting 45 not out.
Hambledon were confident of defending their score, but were unable to control the Bashley run flow, initiated by the enterprising Patrick Lewis (37), who is developing into a fine prospect.
Bashley were already well set at 84-2 when Chris Vaughan, left-Terry Nash (56) and Phil Morris (42) came together to guide the visitors home without further loss and with eight overs to spare.
Lymington IIs first win in four matches – by 42 runs – left Fawley anchored to the bottom without success in five attempts.
Fawley were threatening Lymington’s 236-8 while Andy Parratt (45) and Kumodak Sharma (46) were together at 102-1, but once they were parted the innings fell away to 194 all out.
Earlier, Ollie Kelly (32) and Syed Agha (58) took Lymington to 87-1 before three wickets fell for one run, leaving Tommy Barton (37) and the middle-order to rebuild the innings.
Newly promoted Portsmouth & Southsea had been struggling to put scores together – but it all came good when they ran up a hefty 264-6 at Purbrook.
Teenager Oli Kanavan, with a best yet 71, built on the work of brothers Matt (48) and Tom (44) Benfield to guide P & S to a season’s best total, one far beyond Purbrook, who were bowled out for 89 (Josh McCoy 32), Ben Saunders taking 4-22.
Patrick Mattison is marking his return to Havant in style, following up his 46 against South Wilts II with an unbeaten 123 which set up a handy 29-run win over Gosport Borough at Privett Park.
He carried his bat through Havant’s 217-6, hitting three sixes and nine fours and didn’t get much support until Richard Jerry (38) arrived at the crease.
Gosport sniffed a chance at 143-3, but lost seven wickets for 46 runs, the last four for 15.
Charlie Pennicott (36), Greg Kitchin (33) and Lee Harrop (32) top scored.
