LONGPARISH lost ground in their bid for promotion to the Southern League when their penultimate game of the season at Sarisbury was lost to a very heavy sudden shower.

Unfortunately it was the only game in the top division to be called off and promotion rivals Lymington II and Portsmouth and Southsea experienced sunnier climes.

The pair took full advantage as both won convincingly to push Longparish into third place in the Hampshire League County Division One.

Longparish host Rowledge II on Saturday requiring a win to have any chance of promotion and hoping one of two top lose and second placed Lymington have a tough looking trip to fourth placed Hook.

Elsewhere last Saturday, Dan Bearpark struck a maiden century with an unbeaten 106 and was well supported by Jamie Blackmore 71 and Adam Lister 52 as they closed on 264-1 at home to Basingstoke III.

Will Arnold and Harry Samways then bowled brilliantly and Jordan Blackmore bagged a brace of wickets as the Basingstoke were short out for 94.

Longparish III's game against Riverside was also lost to the weather last Saturday.