Petersfield’s 3rd XI began to show some batting resilience despite losing to Hambledon’s 4th XI on a very windy day at Broadhalfpenny Down.

Petersfield skipper Dave Squires lost the toss for the second week running and Petersfield were asked to bat first on a pitch which was green, low and very dry.

Opener Marcus Sampson tweaked a calf muscle, which resulted in a swipe across the line to R Reynolds for the first of his two wickets.

Dave Squires (30) and David Longland put on 40 for the second wicket before Longland was bowled unluckily round his legs by Steve Ripner (one for 18).

The wind and slope, which is steeper than at Lord’s, were playing havoc with the Hambledon bowlers’ line, as they conceded 28 wides.

Squires was next to go, as he edged to the keeper off young Robin Gohl (two for 32), who only arrived as the game was about to start.

After a good second wicket stand Petersfield suffered a small collapse, losing five wickets for 30 runs in ten overs.

Rob Allerston (14) and Olaf Swanzy (14) steadied the ship to push the score to 111 before Nelson struck and both players were out.

Daniel Squires (three) and Nathan Linkhorn (four) made the Hambledon bowlers toil for the last wickets before Nathan and Daniel were out in the 38th and 39th over respectively trying to get as many runs as possible.

Alex Morrison produced a lovely leg glance for two and Petersfield finished on 137, giving the bowlers something to bowl at. The most pleasing thing for Petersfield was that they had batted for 99 per cent of their overs for the second week on the trot.

When Petersfield took their turn in the field, opening bowlers Alec Scott Plummer (one for 27) and Alex Morrison struggled with the wind as well, as the first ten overs went for 60, although Alec should have had top scorer Pete Grennan (59 not out) in the first over but the catch was dropped at mid off.

Alec made the breakthrough when Steve Parvin hit the ball to mid off and this time the catch was taken. Rob Allerston (none for 45) thought he had Grennan leg before wicket in his second over but the umpire said the ball was going outside the leg stump.

The pitch was playing alright but it was definitely one to bowl stumps to stumps on, which proved true when Squires - relieved of keeping duties - had Toby Garne (13) bowled and David Shaw leg before wicket for a duck in successive overs to give Petersfield some hope with the score on 98 for three.

Olaf Swanzy (one for 10) removed Jamie Birch for five but another dropped catch cost Squires the wicket of Robin Gohl as everyone stood and watched the ball fall between two fielders.

Gohl and Gannon took Hambledon to 138 for four and victory in the 22nd over, but again wides and no balls were prominent, contributing 37 to the Hambledon score.

Petersfield were 30 or 40 runs short of a competitive total but there were encouraging signs that the team were becoming more resilient, boding well for the rest of the season.

Last Saturday the Petersfield 3rd XI lost at home to the Burridge 5th XI. Burridge posted 254 for five and Petersfield made 179 in reply.