HAMBLEDON travelled to Privett Park on Saturday and continued their good run of form, though the victory was by the bare margin of one wicket.

Gosport won the toss and elected to bat but soon lost opener Pete Robson bowled by Cowling for four.

Gopsort contined to lose wickets and at 45-4 were in deep trouble, with the dangerous Chris Lynn having been dimissed by 15-year-old debutant Cam Prentice.

However, opener Craig Stares, who carried his bat for 62*, and Lee Harrop (32) enabled Gosport to close on 169 all out. Rhidian Chapman (2-17) and Reg Marshall (2-13) did the damage.

In reply, Hambledon soon lost Simon Milenko bowled by Regan for 10, but the skipper was in fine form again hitting a 73-ball 59 as Hambledon chased down the Gosport total.

However, a clatter of wickets saw the Dons slump to 118-6 and it took a patient 38 from keeper Harry Moseley to see them close to their target. When he was dismissed with 10 still required it was left to the last pair of Mike Cowling and Prentice to see Hambledon home with one wicket to spare.

l HAMBLEDON were again the visitors to Gosport in the first round of the 20/20 Sunday Comp.

Batting first the Dons were off to flyer, posting 42 off the first four overs with Simon Milenko (17) and Reg Marshall (28) smashing the Gosport attack all around Privett park.

George Marshall (32), Dan Hewitt (45) and Nick Scutt (31*) continued the good work enabling the Dons to close on 185-5. Gosport, through Stares and Lynn, replied in fine fashion with an opening stand of 77 in six overs and it was the introduction of leg spinner Graeme King (2-26) and Mackie Hobson (3-21) that stemmed the flow. Gosport's runs dried up and they were dismissed for 161.