Amport v Highfield.

Amport fell to their third straight defeat on Saturday after a under par performance against Highfield.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on what looked a super track, Amport were in good spirits. The track was surprisingly bowler friendly in the first ten overs, and openers Nick Bone and Rob Randall had to battle hard to fend off some excellent bowling. Bone fell in the seventh over but Randall (42) was looking increasingly solid though, and with firstly Ian Langdown then Rob Skeates, started to look comfortable. The young pair put on over 60 before an impressive innings of 50 from Skeates was brought to an end when he holed out in the deep. Ade Holewell continued last week's good form with an unbeaten 53, and Amport were hoping to build a last five over rush to get them an insurmountable total, the normally very 'waggy' Amport tail did not fire on this occasion though, and the innings ended on an under par 224.

Amport needed to be on their game straight after tea, and openers Brandon Smith and Skeates tried to get things going but the Highfield batsmen without ever looking set, kept the scoreboard ticking, and although wickets were falling regularly, neither team felt on top, or out of the game at any point. Both sides were looking for a stand out performance to tip the balance, and sadly for Amport this came in the form of an 81 not out from Syab Islam for Highfield. The number seven belied his place in the order, batting with authority and ease, as Amport skipper Lee Ayers rang the changes but the village side were unable to break through and Highfield home in the 40th over for the loss of six wickets.

Amport will feel they had chances but did not take them and will hope to put this right with an away trip to Mudeford on Saturday.