Petersfield II v IBM: LAST year’s skipper Rich Stephens won the toss and inserted IBM on a dry and cracked surface at the Heath.

Steve Gibson (0-25) and Ed Bayliss (2-27) bowled tightly, with Bayliss picking up two of the top three in a spell of menacing leg-spin bowling, getting a lot of turn from the dry surface. Chris Salmon (1-9) replaced Gibson and had P Rowson (27) caught at third man by a scampering Bayliss to leave the visitors 35-3 off 15 overs.

Omar Iqbal (2-22) replaced Salmon and had G Wylde caught on the rebound off the keeper by Chris Russell at slip. He then hit a crack and bowled A Ahmed.

Ed Milford (1-16) bowled well and picked up M Smith (19) caught by Bayliss. The wicket of Smith brought together R Barnard (39) and M Rayer (34 not out), who put on 75 for the sixth wicket.

The partnership was broken in the 41st over by Russell (1-30). Stephens (1-14) picked up the eighth wicket as IBM finished on 153-8.

Petersfield’s openers lasted nine overs before both Dave Squires and Salmon were back in the hutch.

Andy Butcher (12) pushed the scoring along before he was stumped. The score was 38 when Rob Allerston (23) joined Russell (66) and the pair put on 74 for the fourth wicket before Allerston tried to hit out. Marcus Sampson was next in and was caught trying to hit boundaries.

Russell had gone to his 50, sweeping to fine leg, before he was bowled by a bouncer in the 39th over. Stephens (12 not out) and Milford (four not out) saw Petersfield home with four balls to spare.