Services stand in St Cross firing line

St Cross Symondians bid to secure their new-found Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 leadership with a sixth win in seven games against United Services at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, tomorrow, 1pm.

The Winchester club leapt to the front with a convincing win over Old Tauntonians & Romsey last week and lead their rivals by three points.

Matt Perry-Lewis has cancelled a business trip to Amsterdam to play, but St Cross are forced to delay selection pending news of the availability of examination-stressed Ben Adams, and Hampshire's Jon Francis, who has returned from Loughborough University.

Top Premier 2 run scorer Steve Shaw, with 404 runs in five knocks, is certain to open the batting alongside Fergus Haycock.

OT's entertain Gosport Borough, who have won their last two games, while Easton & Martyr Worthy, seven points behind St Cross in third spot, will expect to strengthen their title claim at Purbrook, who have lost all five games.

Off-colour Lymington include recently signing Eugene Burzler, from Calmore Sports, at Hursley Park as they bid to halt a three-match losing sequence.

Danny Peacock continues to captain the side despite having a broken little finger, but the unwell Glyn Treagus is again missing.

"We need to start putting some results on the board," says Burridge skipper Roger Cawte on the eve of a potentially tricky meeting with in-form Sparsholt at Botley Road.

Sparsholt have won their last three matches under the new leadership of policeman Andy Lang and have moved into a comfortable mid-table slot.

Second from bottom Burridge are boosted by the return of 264-run top scorer Neil Cunningham and Phil Ransley, who both missed the Gosport defeat.