Services determined to build on remarkable victory

They face a difficult Hampshire League division one match with Bishop’s Waltham tomorrow (1pm).

It had been a miserable few weeks for US who were beginning to slump.

Things looked bleak last Saturday when they were bowled out for 120.

Ellingham were set an adjusted total of 116 to win due to bad weather and the task for US looked bleak.

But then John Parker and Fraser Quirke took over with the ball in hand and completely wreaked havoc.

They dismissed Ellingham’s entire batting order for just seven runs.

Parker picked up six wickets for just one run from his 6.2 overs with five maidens.

Quirke took four wickets for six runs from six overs.

Easton’s men will still be on a high from that remarkable contest.

It has given them a great fillip at just the right time.

The US skipper said: ‘It was a huge win for us and stopped our downward momentum.

‘I hope this will give us a big boost going into a really tough game with Bishop’s Waltham.

‘We know it will be difficult against them.

‘Hopefully the Ellingham win will help see us through July with some momentum.’

Meanwhile, Portsmouth & Southsea are bidding to get their promotion mission back on track after being denied by rain in their crunch clash with Purbrook last weekend.

Keiron Dunstan’s side were looking for a win in their efforts to move up from third above Purbrook into the top two.

But instead the match was abandoned and tomorrow they face fourth-placed Hook & Newnham Basics seconds.

Dunstan is impressed with the way his team have performed throughout the summer so far.

He said: ‘The cricket we are playing is the best I have seen since I’ve been playing adult cricket at the club.

‘I’ve been here since I was 11 and I’m 26 now.

‘We have some fantastic players and we don’t have the privilege of an overseas player like other clubs do.

‘The nucleus of the team have grown up together.

‘I’m confident we can go through the rest of the season unbeaten.

‘We have only lost one game and that was by one run so we can’t be too down on our form.

‘We play Hook and then we face the leaders Alton at home. If we beat those teams the likelihood is we will go up. We are still right in there.’