Purbrook v Hambledon: HAMBLEDON continued their good start to the season with a close two-wicket victory at Purbrook in Division 3 of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first, and Hambledon got off to a good start in the field as William Hardman (2-29) dismissed John Moller (six) to leave Purbrook on 7-1.

Martin Lee and Sean Figgins added 120 for the second wicket to leave Purbrook well placed, but Spencer Le Clercq (1-43) made the breakthrough when he dismissed Figgins for 32. Hardman dismissed Lee for 85, and Josh McCoy (20) was the only other Purbrook batsman to reach double figures.

Luke Barber (4-35) took four wickets at the end of the innings as Purbrook finished on 175-8 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.

Hambledon’s innings got off to a shaky start as Christopher Pratt (nine), Le Clercq (eight) and Alexander Willoughby (eight) all fell cheaply to leave the visitors struggling on 32-3.

Harry Thistlethwayte (11) and George Marshall (16) were the next to depart as Hambledon slipped to 67-5.

Lewis Le Clercq (33) and Oliver Willoughby (57 not out) rescued the innings with a 83-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Edward Moger (one) and Barber (one) both fell cheaply, but O Willoughby and Rhidian Chapman (eight not out) saw the visitors home to victory in the 47th over.

Tom Amis (3-34), Brad Mengham (2-25) and Lee (3-31) were the Purbrook wicket takers.