SPCL2 - Easy wins for leading US and Easton

There's two points in it at the top of Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 with United Services continuing to hold off Easton & Martyr Worthy's challenge.

The pair both romped to easy win - US crushing Trojans by ten wickets, and Easton thrashing neighbours Winchester KS by 124 runs.

Only Simon Williams, who battled 41 overs for his 37, put up much resistance as Damian Carson (6-15) helped skittle Trojans for a disappointing 129 at Burnaby Road. Pete Andrew (64) and Mark Toogood (60) swept US to 130-0 in 28.3 overs.

Easton were wobbling at 25-3 and reached an uncertain 99-5 before Steve Green (62) and Francis Gill (51 not out) took control at River Park. Their stand helped Easton to 208-6 - a total far beyond WKS, who crashed to 84 all out, with Andy Birch (4-7) removing the tail.

Old Tauntonians & Romsey were eyeing a total batting disaster as Hampshire's James Schofield (5-16) and David Griffiths (2-10) reduced them to 41-8 at the Rose Bowl.

Jeremy Ord (23 not out) spared their blushes, but OTR only managed 73 after the Hampshire Academy had scored 212-8 off 50 overs.

The Young Hawks were 94-5 (Iain Brunnschweiler 31) until Hampshire 2nd XI debutant David Wheeler cracked 70 to put the county fledglings in a powerful position.

Ian Stuart was the hero of Sparsholt's nervy two-wicket win over Hungerford at the Norman Edwards Memorial Ground. He staved off a late collapse, striking a match winning 45 not out to see Sparsholt past Hungerford's 173 (Steve Wyatt 83).

Andy Lang (5-13) and Ian Ellis (3-32) got amongst the Hungerford batsmen, but Sparsholt suffered two batting collapses before a last-over victory was achieved.

Owen Dawkins (3-34) and Paul Warren (3-28) sent four Sparsholt wickets tumbling for eight runs after Ollie Kelly (32) and Tim Richings (27) had provided a 63-run start.

Then, after Stuart and Andy Heyes (35) had eased Sparsholt to 155-4, four more wickets fell before victory was achieved.

Lymington held their breath and clung on to a narrow six-run victory to thwart a remarkable comeback by basement side Rowledge. The New Forest visitors appeared to have the game in the bag when Rowledge, chasing Lymington's 238-4, dipped to 146-8 (Jeff Annings 61).

But ninth-wicket pair Darren Mitchell (60) and Chris Yates (38 not out) added 80 to repair the damage caused by spin duo Danny Peacock (5-35) and Aaron Heal (3-46).

Trevor Phillips broke the stand at 226-9 before Rowledge, requiring 12 runs from Glyn Treagus's final over, suffered a fourth ball run out and conceded defeat at 232 all out.

Treagus earlier featured with the bat, hitting a long overdue 82 in a century second-wicket partnership with Peacock (60).

Lymington progressed to 210-4 (Ben Craft 29) and went on to post 238-4, with Martin Hunt (20 not out) and Neil Trestrail (19 not out) enjoying a last-over romp.