Influential Peacock out for a month

Danny Peacock has been ruled out of Lymington's Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 promotion challenge for at least the next month.

The former Zimbabwe all-rounder broke a little finger dropping a return catch in last Sunday's Cross Solent League defeat at South Wilts and will direct operations against Easton & Martyr Worthy tomorrow (1pm) from a Sports Ground boundary deckchair.

"I'm obviously hoping I won't be out too long as that as I've been in pretty good nick and Lymington - despite last week's defeat at Sparsholt - are beginning to gell quite nicely," he reflected.

"What's so annoying is that I only played at Bemerton as one or two of the regulars were unavailable - then I get injured."

Peacock hands over the captaincy to Ben Craft against fourth-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy, who Lymington recognise as one of their main challengers.

"They are a very competitive outfit and the lads need to be up for it tomorrow," Peacock says.

Ian Young, back from Bath University, deputizes for Peacock in an otherwise unchanged Lymington side.

Unbeaten leaders Old Tauntonians & Romsey, 15 points clear at the front, expect leading wicket taker Nick Wood to be fit for the tricky visit to United Services at Burnaby Road.

"US aren't tearing up too many trees at the moment, but they've got some good players and are always a difficult side to play against, particularly in Portsmouth," warns OTR skipper Stuart Tulk.

St Cross Symondians are at full strength for the visit to lowly Burridge, while former Hampshire wicketkeeper Adrian Aymes will be able to concentrate fully on Hursley Park's affairs in the light of his departure as Fleet Town soccer manager.

Aymes leads Hursley in the Quarters derby against Sparsholt, which is expected to provide a feast of runs.

Neither Purbrook nor Gosport Borough has won since gaining promotion last season, but their meeting at The Heath will break one or other's duck.