Purbrook out to avoid banana skin

Second-placed Purbrook visit Shrewton tomorrow determined to avoid any slip-up that could hand the initiative to Portsmouth & Southsea.

‘We want to stay ahead of our local rivals and make sure they keep having to play catch-up,’ said Lee.

‘The last thing we want is to give them a sniff of a chance.

‘Our final three games are all winnable and we are confident that we can go on and finish the job.

‘It is up to us to knuckle down, remain focused and make sure there are no lapses of concentration.

‘We cannot afford any silly errors such as dropping catches or giving our wickets away.

‘If we get the momentum in these last games we must make the most of it.’

United Services are almost at full strength for the visit of Hook & Newnham Basics II to Burnaby Road.

The only absentee is strike bowler Fraser Quirke who is unavailable.

Home captain Matt Easton wants to see Services, who lost last weekend to Purbrook, finish their first season back in division one with a flourish.

He said: ‘I think we are as good as safe and have achieved our aim of consolidating our status.

‘The middle part of the season has been a little disappointing because of unavailability issues.

‘We have shown that when we are at full strength we can be very good but when that isn’t the case we have suffered some poor results.

‘I am looking for more consistency in our final three games which I believe we can win.’

Fareham & Crofton will start as firm favourites to win at bottom of the league Totton & Eling II who are suffering a torrid time at the moment.

Bishop’s Waltham, who boosted their own survival hopes with a 72-run win over Sarisbury II on their travels last weekend, welcome OT’s & Romsey to Albany Road.

Sarisbury II could find it tough at fourth-placed Ropley who have been in fine form in recent weeks.

Burridge II are also looking over their shoulders just ahead of the bottom group as they entertain New Milton II.

In division two Portchester cannot afford to lose at Hythe & Dibden if they are to avoid relegation.

Improving Hayling Island are involved in a mid-table battle at Basingstoke & North Hants III.