Petersfield v Bransgore: PETERSFIELD once again managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in this exciting County Division 2 match at the heath.

Winning the toss, Field captain Damian Carson decided to bat first on a drying wicket but Bransgore tore through their top order.

Last week’s leading run scorers, Thomas and Broadhurst, were dismissed early and the wickets continued to tumble, thanks to a combination of excellent bowling by Jones and Fox (5-19 off tenovers), injudicious shot selection and a tricky wicket.

Dominic Carson looked to have played a lone hand in scoring 21 in an innings that at one point was at 63-8.

Under-15 Ben Turk (21) started the fight back and a vital last wicket partnership of 52 between veteran Chris Wood (31no) and Stanley (19), gave the Field total of 138 an element of respectability.

In reply, Bransgore were immediately under the cosh, losing Butcher caught behind to Turk for a duck.

Stanley then bowled Rouse for 18, before Gumbe had Bratt sharply stumped by keeper Thomas for 8.

At 48-6, Petersfield looked to have gained the upper hand but Jones (16), Fox (24) and Wright (18) fought hard and threatened to put Bransgore back into contention.

It needed a special effort by skipper Carson to work through the tail, picking up the last four wickets, three of them bowled, to dismiss Bransgore for 113, giving Field victory by an unlikely 25-run margin.

Bowlers Stanley (3-32) and Gumbe (2-18) were excellent in support.