Hayling Island v Petersfield: PETERSFIELD won a thrilling encounter away at a gusty Hayling Island by a single run to stay in the County Division 2 promotion race.

Losing the toss and batting first on a damp wicket in a match reduced to 30 overs an innings, Field’s captain for the day Henry Shore battled hard for his 26, which featured some impressive straight hitting down the ground.

However, it was Dave Greetham who mastered the difficult conditions the best, scoring a classy 70 not out off just 63 balls, and taking Watton for 22 off the last over, including two huge sixes downwind.

Petersfield’s total of 161, boosted by 28 wides, seemed above par on the day but Hayling set about purposefully chasing it down as the drying wicket became a little easier to bat on.

Petersfield kept chipping away, with Dominic Carson taking two outstanding catches in the deep. Lever scored an excellent half-century.

When Cells somehow managed to wallop a big six into the strong wind in the penultimate over, Hayling seemed on course for victory.

However, Carson managed to remove the danger man, smartly stumped by Thomas, and a panicked run-out saw the end of Hayes.

This left Hayling needing just six runs to win off the last over but Marshall (3-36), picked up another wicket and conceded just four runs to secure the win.

Petersfield will look to clinch promotion in the final match of the season on Saturday, at home to Old Basing.