Mills and boom

A towering six with three balls to go from Tom 'Maximum' Mills kept Hambledon II's outside hopes of promotion alive.

The big hit gave the Dons victory by two wickets over Hursley Park III in an exciting finish at Hursley's superb Quarters location.

Peter Fowler (3-24) picked up three early wickets after Hursley won the toss and elected to bat before a 112 run fourth wicket partnership rescued the home side.

Pranay Rathod (2-24) and Graeme King (2-27) then made sure Hambledon finished well to restrict Hursley to 191-9 in their 45 overs.

Chasing a rain-reduced target of 185 in 43 overs, the Dons lost Graeme King in the second over but a superb knock of 59 from Toby de Mellow kept Hambledon's hopes alive.

James Gibson chipped in with a useful 23 but at 107-6 in 27 overs, the Dons were looking distinct second favourites.

Will Bond and Rob Tusler put on 37 for the seventh wicket before young Tus collapsed ridiculously onto his own wicket.

Then Tusler senior joined Bondy for an entertaining 40 run eighth wicket partnership which included the aged captain smashing the ball into his own face.

Faced with treble vision, aiming for the middle ball of three seemed the best option as Tusler (16no) and Bond (46) brought the team within two runs of victory.

The scene was set for young Mills to smash the fourth ball of the last over into the neighbouring field to ensure the Dons' third successive victory.

Three wins in the last three matches will give Hambledon II a chance of promotion. Just top-of-the-table Hayling next week to start with.