Calmore dropped Easton to the brink of the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 danger zone with an emphatic 92-run win at Cockets Mead.

The victory lifted Calmore above Bur-ridge into a comfortable mid-table slot but put the squeeze on Easton - rain-hit Winchester rivals St Cross Symondians now lie only fractionally behind them in the table.

Calmore, relegated from the Premier top flight last season, made full use of the 42 overs available to pile up 262-6, with Peter Clark (86), Mark Archer (30), Charlie Freeston (28) and Paul Cass (28) making their mark before James Rose (44 not out) smashed 18 off Steve Green's final over.

Captain James Hibberd had a special word of praise for all-rounder Clark, who made his top league score in batting the bulk of the Calmore innings.

Hibberd said: "Pete's been a bit-part player in the past but is now developing into a very handy performer.

"He did really well at Easton, batting with maturity to allow the guys around him to really force the pace."

The wet weather led to Easton's target being cut to 181 from 29 overs - but they were never at the races.

Charlie Freeston (6-18), swinging the ball perfectly, and Paul Cass (2-35) had Easton rocking at 17-3 and later reeling at 42-6 before Jim Slape (20) and John Sparks (20) gave the reply some shape.

Darren Challis (2-26) nipped in to remove the seventh-wicket pair, leaving Freeston to complete his best league figures and leave Easton 89 all out.

Leaders Alton were flying at 91 without loss after only 11.4 overs when rain saved Sparsholt's day at the Norman Edwards Ground.

Howard Gadsby (38) and Bruce Oliphant (34) put bat to ball with Mike Ball conceding 27 runs off his four overs and debutant Mark Stone being hit for 46 off 5.4 overs!

Lymington's change bowlers bagged four wickets for 20 runs as St Cross Symondians slumped from 63-0 to 83-4 before the weather had the final word in Premier Division 2 at the Sports Ground.

St Cross, struggling in second from bottom position, were progressing nicely through Fergus Haycock (39) and Jack Lovett (15).

But both openers perished in quick succession to Australian all-rounder Karl Whatham, who had figures of 3-12 off 5.2 overs when rain stopped play and had Ben Adams caught behind by Ed Malloy ten runs later.

Christian Pain (1-26) got another breakthrough to leave St Cross in a decidedly awkward situation when play was finally abandoned.

Bottom of the table Gosport Borough were 85-3 against Ventnor when play was called off at Privett Park, while Hursley Park's match with Burridge at The Quar-ters was called off without a ball being bowled.