CLANFIELD won the first-ever Hampshire Cricket League match played at South Lane Meadow – but it was a close-run thing.

Clanfield overcame Purbrook’s third XI with 17 balls to spare.

Clanfield captain Matt Bradley won the toss and elected to field. Clanfield picked up an early wicket as Steve Graham dismissed Liam Mengham in the second over.

Purbrook then got into their stride, with Roy Marsh and George Harridine scoring freely against Graham and fellow opener Harry Foster.

Andy Wellen was introduced into the attack and took two wickets in as many overs, dismissing Marsh and Purbrook captain Jack Taylor.

George Harridine looked in good form and continued to play aggressively, with good support from Mike Beasley, and brought up a well-played half-century.

Adam Smith and Rob Brien were introduced into the attack for the hosts and slowed the run rate with six wickets between them, the latter dismissing George Harridine for 87.

Clanfield wrapped up the Purbrook innings with 5.1 overs remaining, dismissing Purbrook for 157.

In reply, Clanfield were reduced to 26 for four as opening bowler Owen Davies took three wickets, with Jack Taylor picking up the other.

Clanfield captain Matt Bradley and James MacGreggor set about rebuilding the Clanfield innings with a stand of 70. After spells from James Harridine and Dan Shields went wicketless, Davies was reintroduced into the attack and dismissed MacGreggor to finish with four for 25 from his eight overs.

Two more wickets followed, as Adam Smith and Harry Foster were dismissed by Josh Brown and James Harridine respectively, to leave Clanfield in trouble.

Bradley was still at the crease and found good support from Rob Brien, who hit a couple of boundaries before being adjudged LBW.

Andy Wellen came to the wicket and provided valuable support for Bradley, who passed 50 before finishing 66 not out to see his side over the line with 17 balls remaining.

Last Sunday Clanfield played a friendly at St Cross Symondians. Clanfield captain Mike Collins won the toss and elected to bat, with Collins and Matt Bradley making 28 for the first wicket before being dismissed by openers Adam Blyth and Harvey Cross.

Dan Frostick and John Windebank shared a half-century stand before Clanfield lost five wickets for 19 runs, Matthew Dernham, Jack Birch and Jitin Tahilani taking five between them.

Roy Goulding and Rob Brien added 42 for the eighth wicket as Clanfield made 157.

Clanfield’s opening bowler Sean Swift took three for 21 and St Cross’s Arthur Hurren hit four boundaries in his 37. The match ebbed and flowed until St Cross needed eight from the final over.

Blyth was caught by Mike Collins off the penultimate ball, bowled by Chris Buckle, to give Clanfield a six-run victory.