Dynamic duo rescue Portsmouth & Southsea

On a sweltering afternoon, skipper Kieron Dunstan had little hesitation in deciding to bat first.

After 22 overs, however, his team were in big trouble at 114 for seven.

Sayeed Shahid (89 not out) and Ben Saunders (70) produced career-best scores to get them out of the mire.

The pair added 163 in 27 overs – helping their side post 289 for eight.

Matt Benfield (three for 39), Dunstan (three for 33) and Tom Benfield (three for 20) then made the most of the reprieve.

Dunstan said: ‘Our two lads played the knocks of their lives and turned the game on its head.

‘Up until then we had been distinctly second best.

‘To end up getting four batting points and scoring nearly 300 was a tremendous effort.

‘It was only Saheed’s second game in the first team and Ben always fancies himself as a bit of a batsman.

‘I always knew there was a score in him but I think we were both shocked it was 70.’

United Services fell to a disappointing 47-run loss to Burridge II at Burnaby Road.

For the visitors, it was a boost in their bid to avoid relegation.

Fareham & Crofton squeezed to a two-wicket win at Sarisbury II.

In division two, Bedhampton pulled off a surprise three-wicket win at promotion chasing Hythe & Dibden.

Hayling Island lost by 30 runs to Fair Oak II, while Locks Heath beat Hungerford by one wicket.