Purbrook put visitors to sword to boost promotion bid

The home side took advantage of being asked to bat first by amassing 381 for seven.

Brad Mengham (93), Jon Moller (88), Martin Lee (63) and Sean Figgins (50) took the Burridge bowling attack apart.

When the visitors’ batted, New Zealander Ben Michel (five for 15) helped skittle them out for 68 as he took his second five-wicket haul in three weeks.

‘We got off to a flyer – scoring 184 in the first 22 overs,’ said proud Purbrook captain Lee.

‘Then our second-wicket pair carried it on with another century partnership.

‘We have done the maths and reckon we only need four points from our final game to get promoted.

‘It is ours to throw away now. We feel we are ready to go back into the Southern League after an absence of six years.’

Jonathan Willey (four for 24) produced his best bowling figures of the season to set Portsmouth & Southsea on their way to an easy 10-wicket win over St Cross Symondians III.

The home side’s openers, Jack Davies (69) and Steve Clements (80), were faultless chasing down the target of 174 for nine.

Elsewhere, the weather disrupted the top-flight programme.

Fareham & Crofton lost the chance to lock horns with league leaders Alton II as the game at Bath Lane was abandoned.

Bishop’s Waltham’s game at Andover II suffered the same fate.

In division two, struggling Portchester’s woes continued with a 10-wicket defeat at Bramshaw.

Bedhampton cruised to an easy eight-wicket victory at Locks Heath – which keeps them on course for a top-eight finish.

Hayling Island lost out by two wickets to Petersfield in a low-scoring contest.

Petersfield posted a target of 162 for nine and the home side finished two runs short with the same number of wickets down.

Emsworth remained on course for a top-five finish in division four south after they beat Sarisbury Athletic III by 111 runs.

– KEVIN RICKETTS