PRE-SEASON County Division 1 favourites Tichborne Park are in danger of losing touch with unbeaten leading pair Andover II and Fair Oak.

When Tichborne sank to a dramatic one-wicket defeat by newly-promoted Langley Manor it meant their second slip in three weeks, leaving them trailing well behind Andover (137 points) and Fair Oak (135), who continue to set the pace.

Tichborne saw their 218 all out (Martin Cheyney 41) overhauled off the second ball of the final over - John Holloway's battling 65 inspiring the lower order to secure a nervy win.

The top pair enjoyed thumping wins - Andover by 178 runs against winless Burridge II and Fair Oak by nine wickets over Redlynch & Hale.

Jerry Hayward (60) and Paul Funnell (55) led Andover to a massive 297-8 against Burridge (119), while teenager James Featherstone (4-20) celebrated a hat-trick as Redlynch were skittled for 77 (Calvin Cramer 42), six batsmen getting ducks.

Mike Trodd's 119 put Old Tauntonians & Romsey II on the way to security against Calmore Sports II, who made 212-8 (Gavin Hopgood 63) after Charles Forward (72) had played his part in an OTs 273-run romp.

Australian import Brett Whittingham hit an undefeated 91 as Locks Heath posted 205-4 to get the better of St Cross Symondians, whose original 218-8 was trimmed by a short rain break. Kiwi Jessie Phillips hit 112 for St Cross.

Graham Marchant made a telling comeback after his collar bone injury by scoring 55 and taking three wickets in Fareham & Crofton's 32-run win over Eastleigh & Otterbourne.

Barton Peveril College student Matt Journeaux hammered 106 and Matt McKeever weighed in with 67 as Sarisbury Athletic posted 321-6 to beat Bramshaw (255), while veteran Peter Tapper took 6-27 in Lymington's unimpressive two-wicket win over United Services.

Hursley Park II all-rounder Dave Westbrook, who jets off on a World tour next week, returned a competitive best 6-7 as Old Basing were skittled for 25 at The Quarters. His analysis included three wides!

Nick Best struck 128 in Hursley's 293-4.