St Cross need Shaw back in form

St Cross Symondians need Steve Shaw to return to his prolific run scoring best if they are to claw back the three-point deficit at the top of the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2.

The burly left-hander has plundered 588 runs this season, but has lost the Midas touch in recent weeks.

Provided he recovers from a painful back injury, Shaw will open the St Cross batting against Winchester neighbours Hursley Park at the Royal Green Jackets ground tomorrow (1pm) conscious that Adrian Aymes, the former Hampshire wicketkeeper, is catching him up in the run scoring stakes.

With Old Tauntonians & Romsey firm favourites to strengthen their top-table position against relegation-threatened Purbrook, it's a game St Cross must win.

OT's have a fitness worry over Nick Wood (hamstring), but Hampshire Cricket's head groundsman Nigel Gray has given the all-clear for Ian Tulk to play.

Easton & Martyr Worthy, beaten Hampshire Chronicle Cup finalists earlier this week, visit Sparsholt, who need to halt a losing sequence to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.

Lymington are determined to arrest their downward spiral and push troubled Gosport Borough further into the Premier 2 relegation mire at Privett Park.

Although they have won only once in their last seven outings, Lymington were showing better form when they had St Cross Symondians struggling before rain intervened last Saturday.

Speedster Dave Scott lines up against Gosport, with Jason Carr also returning to Danny Peacock's side.

Gosport's first team captain Stewart Magee plays for the club's promotion chasing 2nd XI in Hampshire League, Division 4.

In-form Burridge left-arm spinner Andy Ford aims to improve on his 15-wicket haul against his former United Services team-mates at Botley Road.