Southern Electric Premier League Division 1.

Hampshire Academy (185) lost to St Cross Syms (186-3).

Home grown St Cross Symondians have ended the Hampshire Academy's three-month reign at the ECB Southern Electric Premier League summit.

They beat the Young Hawks by seven wickets on the Rose Bowl Nursery Ground to celebrate a fourth successive win.

"It's a proud day for the club, because we fielded TEN guys who have been playing for St Cross since they were colts," beamed St Cross president Peter Jenkins.

"We've achieved a lot as a club in the past couple of years and a result like this makes everything you do for junior cricket so rewarding."

Jenkins will be first to admit that the match winning innings for St Cross came from their New Zealand-based left-hander Sam Fairley, whose 88 was decisive.

"Sam's been a terrific asset. He works constantly with the club and our younger players and really has been an excellent choice as overseas player," Jenkins said.

While St Cross celebrated another win, it was an afternoon when it didn't happen for the Academy, who have finished only one game since early June.

"We were beaten by a better side," conceded Hampshire 2nd XI coach Giles White.

"Sam Fairley played an excellent innings for them and we had no one who could match it, though we made a reasonably decent start."

The Hawks did experience difficult damp conditions after being put into bat, but after Liam Dawson (20) and Kevin Latouf (21) had taken the score to 55 for 1, they lost direction.

They dropped to 67 for 4 before Richard Morris (35) and Roy Cockram (22) led a mid-innings recovery.

Jimmy Adams (3-39), Joe Lovett (3-63) and Mark Padwick (2-41) had the Academy in further strife at 143 for 8.

But Chris Wood, unable to bowl due to a torn side muscle, underlined his batting prowess with a quick fire 44, which hoisted the Hawks to 185 all out.

Morris (2-41) achieved an early breakthrough for the Hawks, having Jimmy Adams (5) caught - but Fairley and Ben Adams (35) proceeded to build the match winning partnership.

Adams batted nicely, while Fairley, occasionally riding his luck with some streaky shots, proved difficult to budge.

The Wellington provincial left-hander hit a six and ten fours in his 88, but by the time Roy Cockram bowled him, the outcome was effectively decided.

Jack Jenkins hit a timely 30 as St Cross eased home with three overs to spare.

At home with St Cross.

St Cross Symondians are having an at home' this coming Saturday, August 4.

Spectators are invited to join the club for the all-day SEPL Division 1 match against Hursley Park (start 11.30am).

From 4.30pm onwards there will be refreshments available in the lower pavilion and the bar will be open after the players' tea until 10.30pm. Other attractions include a post-match barbecue, raffle, silent auction and small bidding auction.

Above all St Cross want spectators to enjoy the day at the club, watching local cricket. Come and meet the teams - entrance free.