TROJANS brave bid to overhaul Portsmouth & Southsea's 263-7 narrowly failed after a frantic run-chase in the evening sunshine at much improved Stoneham Lane.

South African Dave Upton, with a six and 15 fours in an unbeaten 115, dominated Southsea's innings.

But Trojans finished seven runs short after Simon Williams (67) and Sam Freeman (72) had taken their reply to 118-1 and put pressure on the P & S fielders, most of whom are not in the flush of youth.

The scoring rate dropped when Williams was 'yorked' but Freeman, aided by Jamie Wood and Neil Sutherland, pushed Trojans on to a threatening 193-3.

Freeman's dismissal could have proved a turning point, but while seventh-wicket pair Mike Durand (24) and Adam Denny (20) were together, a Trojans victory was still a possibility.

In the end, the chase proved beyond Trojans who, having needed 25 off the final three overs and 13 from Dean Wilson's last, fell bravely short at 256 all out.

Rowledge and Havant II continue to maintain the two promotion slots - David Lloyd hitting an unbeaten 91 as Rowledge swept to a ninth straight win over Portsmouth II (201-8).

Mark Copping took 5-24 as Havant trimmed Bashley (Rydal) II by 69 runs, while Owen Dawkins hit 119 as Hungerford chased and bettered a Hook & Newnham Basics target of 250-8.

Hambledon's promotion prospects were finally dashed when out-of-form Jon Williams recaptured some of his old magic and struck 111 to guide Division 3 strugglers South Wilts III to an unexpected six-wicket win.

Leckford rekindled their own survival chances with a three-wicket win over Bournemouth II - five-wicket Mark Tomlinson and Australian Andy Gapes securing a crucial victory for the Test Valley League club.