Hampshire League Division 4 North Central.

Ampfield II (176-9) beat Penton II (128-9).

Ampfield 2nds made the journey to Penton who won the toss on an overcast day and invited their visitors to bat. With a delayed start the match was reduced to 40 overs a side.

Garvey and Modha opened the Ampfield innings and after a sensible start Modha was unlucky to get caught at slip off the back of his bat for 6.

Henderson joined Garvey who soon followed his opening partner after a tough lbw decision. With the score at 16 for 2 some rebuilding was required, so skipper Betteridge and Henderson dug in on a drying wicket, scoring a partnership of 71 before Henderson was bowled for 22.

Betteridge was joined briefly by Absalom and then the returning Barnes, who hoisted a four back over the bowler's head before chipping lamely to Paddy for 5. Baldock then helped Betteridge put on a partnership of 41 before being bowled off his pads for 6.

The hard-hitting Jayson Smith came in next and this signalled an increase in pace... with 4s and 6s raining all over the ground. Betteridge was finally caught in spectacular fashion by Hares for 77.

Ampfield added a further 15, finishing on 176 for 9.

Penton made a slow but steady reply against some tight bowling from Baldock (1-42) and Barnes (4-29.) Sarkar was brought on and his tight lines soon frustrated French who was caught by Absalom for 22, soon followed by Gibbs for 34 bowled by Sarkar.

Barnes returned to remove Wootten with his first ball of his second spell for 2.

Wicketkeeper Hougson and the hard hitting Hares then put on a quick 24 before Hares was run out from a direct hit from Henderson for 13.

Penton never managed to settle and proceeded to add only 28 off the last 10 overs, falling some way short of Ampfield's target.

Another all-round solid team performance brought victory to the visiting Ampfield side.

Penton 8 pts, Ampfield 22 pts.