Southern Electric Premier League - Division 3.

Hambledon (198-7) beat US Portsmouth (197-7).

Hambledon travelled to Burnaby Road to take on an undefeated United Services side. Having won the toss, US elected to bat and had reached 41 in the 15th over when the introduction of Rhidian Chapman saw the dismissal of the dangerous Carson for 22.

Hambledon continued to keep a stranglehold, with all the bowlers maintaining a tight line and restricting US to a below par total of 197 for 7 off their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, Hambledon soon found themselves in trouble at 13 for 2, with King and Milenko back in the pavilion. A 34-run partnership by captain James Scutt and Mat Jones led a partial recovery until Jones was dismissed with the score on 47.

However, the arrival of Reggie Marshall (51) to the crease led to a stand of 86 for the fourth wicket before Scutt was trapped leg before for a fine 71. Hambledon were now firmly in control and despite a late order stutter, Indi Chakrabarti (22no) and Scott Curwood saw Hambledon home with ten balls and three wickets to spare.

Hambledon 2nds entertained top of the table Denplan Mansbridge at Ridge Meadow on Saturday.

Electing to bat, the visitors were soon in trouble, losing both openers to James Carrs (1-23) and Mike Cowling (1-15). However a 50-run partnership between Lewis (29) and Hall took the visitors to drinks at a comfortable 89 for 2. However on the resumption the innings collapsed with Mackie Hobson (5-34) ripping through the middle order with 15-year-old off-spinner Justin Waldron (3-23) mopping up the rest. The visitors closing on 119 all out after only 36 overs.

Hambledon began their reply confidently with experienced openers Mark Le Clercq and Jon Burdekin putting on 31 for the first wicket. However Burdekin's dismissal saw the innings stagnate while the visitors continued to make in-roads into the Hambledon batting line up.

At 69 for 7, Denplan were in the driving seat, however a 50-run partnership between skipper Chris de Mellow and Mike de La Perelle (32no) saw Hambledon home and inflict the first defeat of the season on the visitors.