Hungerford v Petersfield: TEN-MAN Petersfield ground out a backs-to-the-wall victory away to Hungerford, showing again a great spirit and determination to win when the odds seemed stacked against them.

With Field winning the toss and opting to bat, Hungerford opening bowlers Wilson (2-29) and Reeves (3-29) tore through the top order for not very many runs, putting the ball in the right areas and making full use of a wicket that offered some assistance.

It took a dogged, determined partnership for the sixth wicket between the returning David Greetham (42) and Dave Marshall (51 not out) to first blunt the rampant Hungerford attack on a boiling hot day, and then begin to swing the momentum in Field’s favour.

Thanks to this excellent display of batting in adversity – one more wicket and the game was lost – Petersfield finished their innings on a competitive but still below par 175.

It was now down to the bowlers, who duly delivered.

Hitting the deck hard, Greetham (3-17) broke through early, claiming opener Rowell caught behind to a brute of a delivery.

With captain Damian Carson (1-23) and Frank Straw (3-23) applying the pressure, and, in contrast to last week, with Field taking their catches and keeping the extras under control, Hungerford never seriously threatened the Petersfield total and were bowled out for 132.

Marshall (1-18), Keith Gumbe (1-24) and Steve Gibson (1-10) finished with a wicket apiece.