Southern Premier League - Division 3.

Sparsholt (296 for 9) beat Bashley (Rydal) II. (295 for 9) by 1 wicket.

Battling Sparsholt continued their relegation fight, beating a strong Bashley Rydal II side by a solitary wicket.

Home side Bashley, now sixth in Division 3, batted first and got the start they wanted with an opening stand of 67 between Shaun Lilley and Ward (27).

Callum Maher (35) steadied the ship before being run out and skipper Lilley went on to top score with 71 before he was caught off the bowling of David Waters.

Ben Nolan-Stone, batting at five, added a further 61 but was bowled by Mark Stone, the pick of the Sparsholt attack in taking 3 for 52.

The Bashley tail fell cheaply but Sparsholt surrendered 59 extras, including 41 wides, and the guests made their way to a decent 295 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs.

The visitors replied with a solid start, amassing 62 before Will Urquhart (20) was caught from a Neil Sexton (3-51) delivery.

But the Sparsholt middle order held firm with number five, Adrian Birkett (35), number six, Olly Kelly (58no) and number seven, David Gough (43), bringing them back into contention.

Tim Vokes contributed a hugely significant 18 and the game hung in he balance.

Needing 296 for the win Sparsholt were 293 for 8 and then, after Simon Straker was bowled for a duck, 294 for 9.

But, with just the one wicket remaining, Sparsholt squeezed past the target to earn 21 much-needed points and hover precariously just above the dropzone.

Sparsholt 3rds enjoyed a five-wicket victory over Longford Park in North-West Division 2.

Longford Park were asked to bat first on a lively wicket.

Number ten Colin Pearce top scored with 32 and Martin Harringford scored 31 in a total of 136.

James Pickering (4-33) supported by Ed Ball (3-16) did the damage for the visitors.

In reply, Sparsholt opener Martin White hit his maiden 50 for the club to guide his side home with eight overs remaining.

Jon Vokes smashed a quick 34 including three sixes taking 22 off one over.

Ray Pearce took 3 for 35 to give the home side some hope early in Sparsholt's innings but Sparsholt were just too strong.