Tenacity key as Lee helps lift Purbrook

Martin Lee’s side found themselves in some difficulty after being put into bat on a tricky wicket.

They were reduced to 20 for three before launching a brave recovery.

Opener Lee, who hit 69, showed his tenacity by batting through to the 48th over and he received good support from James Holder (35) and Hamid Khan (29).

Then the home side crumbled to 86 all out with Khan (three for 24) and Aaron Dean (four for 11) inflicting the damage.

‘The wicket was wet and awkward because the covers had leaked,’ said Lee.

‘The water had run down the hill and left a few wet patches which meant a few balls were popping.

‘I managed to carry my bat through and in the end got a very respectable 206 for nine.

‘The feeling was that anything over 150 would get us in the game.

‘Hamid (Khan) bowled the best I have seen from him and with the help of Aaron Dean skittled them out.’

Bishops Waltham’s three-game winning run came to an end with a five wicket defeat by Ellingham at Albany Road.

The hosts were bowled out for 141 and found it impossible to defend such a low total.

Burridge II celebrated their first win after beating Andover II by seven wickets.

Sarisbury II failed by 18 runs in their attempt to chase down 208 for nine at unbeaten league leaders Alton II.

A disappointed Fareham & Crofton slumped to a 93-run defeat at Ropley.

In division two Portchester suffered a one wicket home defeat to Hungerford.

The loss leaves Portchester with just one win from their opening six games.

Bedhampton’s misery continued as an eight-wicket reverse against Old Basing at Bidbury Mead condemned them to a fourth successive defeat.

Petersfield chalked up a third win of the season by beating Fair Oak II by 42 runs at the Heath.

Dominic Carson (86), Ben Turk (76) and Andy Barnes (41 not out) dominated as the home side reached 212 for eight.

David Greetham, Ben Anscome and Keith Gumbe all grabbed a brace of wickets as the hosts cruised home.