Midhurst and Salthill have cricket silverware on their minds
Midhurst v Locks Heath
Division one
Midhurst moved second after coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Locks Heath at The Ruins.
The wicket was in good condition after rain so Midhurst captain Tim Powell had no hesitation in batting.
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Hide AdOpeners Graham Braithwaite and Steve May were quickly dismissed but Ed Atkins and Sam Cussins put on 55 before first Cussins then replacement Jamie Hall fell.
Captain Powell and Atkins rallied well, producing a stand of 53.
When Powell was dismissed for a rapid 30 and Atkins fell for 40, Midhurst looked in trouble at 158 for six with 14 overs to go.
Composed batting at the death by Chris May, supported by Nalinda Premachandra and Nick Gregory, saw Midhurst reach 231 for nine.
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Hide AdPowell got the much-needed early breakthrough but the visitors responded well as Boyd and Richardson put on 63.
Powell turned to spin duo Hall and Premachandra, which immediately yielded results as Hall had the destructive Boyd caught for 37.
The pair provided a masterclass in economic bowling before Ken Jones and Steve May continued the good work.
Jones got two wickets in the 38th over. Bennett and Hill threatened with an eighth-wicket stand of 60 but Locks Heath came up 13 short.
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Hide AdMidhurst travel to top-of-the-table Waterlooville on Saturday.
Salthill v VT II
Regional three south east
Salthill turned in their best fielding performance of the season when beating VT by six wickets.
Stand-in skipper Steve King won the toss and elected to field.
The bowlers were mean with Alex Elsbury taking three for six and Leo Beal three for 24. D Higgins reached 25 before being caught by Trevor Almack. VT made Salthill fight all the way with some accurate bowling, which kept the pressure on the batsman until the final over.
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Hide AdLeo Beal bellgierently struck 48 not out and opener Alec Wallsgrove a patient 22. Salthill are pressing for promotion after their recent victorious run. Next up they visit Portsmouth Community on Saturday.