JUST when Leckford thought things could not get any worse, they were left at their lowest ebb after last weekends crushing 111 run defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Flamingo.

The local side now face an uphill battle to retain their place in the Southern Electrict Premier Three but at no point this this season has the side performed consistently with bat and ball in the same game and last weekend it was the turn of the batting display to become a debacle.

Set a target of 199 to win, things as ever started off promisingly, with openers Martyn Isherwood (6) and Glenn Richmond (14) experiencing little problem with the home attack.

But Isherwood then chipped a loose shot to cover and was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Mike Howard (0) whose runs have suddenly dried up after a terrific start to the season.

Richmond then became the third of Nick McMurray's (5-23) victims thanks to a good catch at short extra cover, and that all to familiar Leckford batting collapse was already on the cards.

Andy Cattle (0) became the next batsmen to save the scorers some ink, but at 53-5 skipper Miles Bulpitt (26) and Mark Tomlinson (3) appeared to be staging a mini revival.

But when both fell in the space of two balls the writing was well and truly on the wall for the visitors. Steve Kay (10) and Simon Reeves (11) both tried in vain to at least add some respectability to the score, but Reeves departure saw Chris White pick up yet another first-ball duck as Leckford were dismissed for a dismal 87.

Before tea the Leckford fielding could only improve on the previous week's appalling display and to their credit it appeared that all 11 members of the side were prepared to make this the case and confidence appeared to have returned as Howard (1-15) made the early breakthrough thanks to a catch behind the stumps by Reeves.

White (0-29) bowled a good spell on his return to the side and deserved at least one wicket for his efforts.

The introduction of Cattle (2-38) saw Howard take a superb diving catch at slip, but from here on in the Flamingo's batting was held together by skipper Gary Fenigan (85).

It might have been much different had 'keeper Simon Reeves made the most of an early stumping opportunity off the bowling of Nigel Marriott (2 -35), and as a result Leckford were made to pay dearly. The home side's batting was very much a one-man show with the next highest score being 15.

Marriott and Cattle both tried in vain to remove the Flamingo barrier and Fenigan eventually fell to a good catch from White at mid-wicket off the bowling of Bulpitt (1-24). Tomlinson's (1-22) late introduction to the attack saw him pick up another victim, and a run out at the death saw Flamingos through to 198 for 9, which in the end proved far too many for the visitors.

Each of Leckford's remaining games have now become crucial to their survival in the Southern Electric Premier League.

The relegation trapdoor into the Hampshire League is now hanging precariously open - surely things can only get better!?