The opening clashes in the second and third divisions of the Farley's South Hampshire Indoor Cricket League saw tense matches throughout, but Hambledon have set the pace for the others to follow.

They were pushed all the way by Eastleigh II, after posting a daunting 141 without loss thanks to Scott Sivier (26retd), Archie Norris (25retd), Mark Jones (29retd) and Scott James (24*).

Eastleigh II set about the chase and, through Lee Stoughton (28) and John Beesley (28) came close, but fell just 16 runs short at 125-5.

The other two victors, Langley Manor and bat Sports B successfully chased their targets, the former overhauling BAT Sports C, while their clubmates easily passed Hamble A.S.S.C. A.

Harris (31 not out) helped BAT C to 91-5 (Rhodes 2-18), before Smith saw Langley Manor home with a ball to spare.

A low-scoring tussle saw BAT B win by two wickets with just three balls remaining, passing Hamble A's 78-1. Taylor (25not out) was the mainstay for the riversiders, but Pete Biddlecombe (22) and Simon Ennew (21) innings were sufficient to see them home.

Wildern won the first match in division 3, defeating Winchester B by 19 runs. Wiseman (34 not out) eased Wildern to 122-5 (Dugdale 2-20) and it proved enough as Winchester closed at 103-3 (Taylor 26 not out, Christian 2-16).

It's a two-horse race early in the Colts League, with Sarisbury Sharks and Michelmersh and Timsbury maintaining their unbeaten records with wins.

B Anderson (35 not out) and M Peace (30 not out) were the outstanding performers in Michelmersh's 126-4, but a tight spell from N Parsons (three overs 2-6), reduced Scorpions to 77-4, thanks to wides top-scoring with 42.

The Sharks thrashed Hursley Park by six wickets, successfully chasing 54-6 in just 25 legal balls. J Nash (30) top scored for Hursley as J.Ingram 2-21 and A Evans 2-13 decimated their innings. Evans led the way with the bat also, striking 25 not out.

BAT Sports won their clash with ease, victorious by 34 runs over Trojans.

BAT cracked 93-5 in their 12 overs, M Couch scoring 37 not out as Smith took 2-19.

It was far too many for the Eastleigh-based side, as Smith (3-3) and Walker (2-4) ran through the Trojans reply for 59 all out.