ELLINGHAM skipper Mark Burrett came to the rescue in his side's away match with Burridge 2nds in County Division, stroking a half-century to set up a three-wicket victory in the last over, writes Simon Rowley.

Ellingham’s opening attack of Ben Gorman (2-35) and Henry Shutler (2-53) had Burridge struggling at 58-5 but they had started to recover before an eighth wicket stand of 91 between White (82 no) and Griffiths (28) propelled them to 210-8, Dave Doust taking 2-29.

At 68-5, Ellingham were a long way from home but then Burrett (75 no) and Russell Starks (23) got them back on track with a sixth wicket stand of 88 and then Bobby Bull (10 no) supported Burrett as the visitors won with just five balls to spare.

The match also saw John Shutler’s return to league cricket after 11 years. The 64-year-old had been due to umpire but Ellingham were a man down and, with someone else available to wear the white coat, Shutler took the field and stopped everything that came his way, albeit sometimes with his boot!

Woodgreen were back to form with a five-wicket victory over visitors Calmore 2nds and have now steered clear of the danger zone in County Division 3 South.

Opener Mark Hardy (49) was the mainstay of the Calmore innings and they were dismissed for 145 in the 44th over by Dave Naish (3-25), John Nash (2-14), Angus Harley (2-28) and Richard White (2-37).

Woodgreen’s openers Laurence Harding (61) and Josh Bishop (22) gave them a solid foundation with a stand of 61 in 12 overs and then Sam Parker hit an unbeaten 44 as they won in the 28th over.

After a lean spell in which they have lost their last seven matches, Burley scraped to a one-wicket victory when they entertained Fareham and Crofton 2nds in County Division 4 South.

The visitors were never allowed to dominate proceedings as they were held in check by Charlie Lambourne (3-21), David Pullen (3-23) and Jim Burry.

Morgan Frost (46) was the only batsman to show any form as the visitors slumped to 110-9 but the last wicket put on 26 before they were all out for 136 in the 40th over with Craig Doick taking 2-49.

Burley got a good start from openers Kieron Hudson (41) and Greg Thew (32) who put on 56. Then Rob Munroe (21) steered them to 92-2 before they collapsed to 130-9 against Frost (6-28) as only Lambourne (18) showed any resistance and it was left to Burry and Pullen to cross the line in the 37th over.

Ellingham 2nds’ match with Bidbury at Picket Post was reduced to 38 overs-a-side when the visitors were delayed by heavy traffic but despite half-centuries from Luke Criessen and Andy Donoghue, the home side lost by 17 runs.

Bidbury posted 213-5 with Brad Hammans taking 2-42 and Ellingham looked to be heading for victory when Criessen (66) and Donaghue (51) put on 127 for the third wicket. Once they were out wickets fell in quick succession and they finished on 196-9.

Verwood came up against unbeaten division champions Ferndown Wayfarers at Potterne Park and lost by four wickets in a reduced-overs match.