IT’S A REAL PAYNE AS SARISBURY ATHLETIC LOSE – AND LOSE THE LEAD

Dan Payne hit an undefeated century as Sparsholt swept to a fifth successive win and knock Sarisbury Athletic off the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 summit in the process.
The Adelaide teenager hit an unbeaten 114 as Sparsholt successful chased down Sarisbury’s 224-9 to win by four wickets with an over to spare. The defeat cost Sarisbury top spot – Old Tauntonians & Romsey sneaking three points above them courtesy of a ‘run-rate’ victory over Totton & Eling II.
Archie Norris (55) and Peter Hammond (43) eased Sarisbury into a strong position at 115-1. But despite Matt Journeaux (29) and Mark Miller (22), the innings did not fulfil its earlier promise. Payne lost four partners as Sparsholt’s reply reached an uncertain 101-4, but his fifth-wicket stand with Toby Stannard (42) effectively won the game. The pair added 98 before Payne completed his 114 – he hit three sixes and 12 fours - to give Sparsholt their fifth straight win.
The OTs-Totton II affair at the Rapids had reached an interesting stage when early evening rain caused a premature end. Totton were 85-5 chasing OTs 149 all out – and were just behind on run rate. OTs were struggling at 61-6 before Jody Brown (34) and Max Smith (19) added a vital 51 and paved the way to an eventual 149 all out.  Danny Mogg’s 4-31 return had Totton rocking at 47-5, but the junior Eels were on the road to recovery through Ed Moore and Martin Edwards when the rains came.
Micky Butler hit a century – his second in recent weeks – and then took three wickets as Tichborne Park strengthened their third place standing with a hefty 112-run win over Fawley.  Butler’s 100, supported by Martin Cheyney (33) and Paul Primmer, with a lusty 33 not out in the closing overs, saw Tichborne to 252-8 (Wayne Smith 4-56). Butler (3-46) and Tom Allam (4-16) then reduced Fawley to 58-7 with a devastating new-ball burst. Callum Earl (38) and Smith (24) rescued Fawley from total embarrassment – the oilmen finishing with 141, but being comprehensively beaten all the same.
Dom Carson hit an unbeaten 73 as United Services kept their outside promotion hopes alive with a seven-wicket win over Easton & Martyr Worthy at Burnaby Road.  Easton’s 174 was built around Azeem Hamid (47) and the hobbling Steve Green (46), but was blown away in 38 overs.  A century stand between Carson and Gary Hounsome (46) carried US home.