OT's & Romsey took another step towards promotion with an emphatic Harry Tulk inspired away victory over Portsmouth & Southsea. 

Having been put into bat OT's openers Charlie King and Joe Vaughan made a solid start before Charlie was caught at point by Shaun Briggs off the bowling of Jonathan Willey with the score on 35. 

Joe Vaughan and Richard Blake both soon followed in almost identical fashion both under edging deliveries from Ewen Mansford onto their stumps. 

This brought together Harry Tulk and Rob Newman who put on a rapid century partnership and took the score to 186 before Rob was dismissed by Maxwell Goddard for 52 from only 53 balls. By now Harry Tulk was in full flow and took 32 runs from the single over of leg spin bowled by the unfortunate Tom Benfield. A quick fire 30 from Hakim Peruzi was the only other scorer of note as OT's amassed 291. 

Harry made 130 from only 92 balls with 13 fours and 9 sixes. Maxwell Goddard was the pick of the Portsmouth bowlers with 5 wickets for 52 runs.

Portsmouth & Southsea were never up with the required run rate and they lost wickets at regular intervals. A few of the batsmen made starts but none were able to go on at get a big score which was needed if they were to threaten the OT's total. The top scorer in the Portsmouth innings was Dean Lee with only 26. All the OT's bowlers kept things tight and there were three wickets apiece for Vikram Dawson and Matt Bampton and two for Joe Vaughan. Portsmouth & Southsea were eventually all out for 131 in the 38th over.

Southern Premier League Division Two leaders Waterlooville were beaten by third placed Langley Manor and OT's are now only fractionally behind Waterlooville with two games remaining. One win or, two high scoring defeats will seal OT's promotion. Two wins could see them crowned as champions depending on Waterlooville's results.

OT's entertain Liphook & Ripsley this Saturday 26th August at the Romsey Sports Centre.

All are welcome to come along and support your local team.