Brett Spicer smashed a boundary strewn unbeaten century to lift Ellingham from the brink of defeat to a remarkable four-wicket win over Hampshire League County Division 1 rivals Ryde at Hardings Shute.

The second placed New Forest club were facing their first defeat of the season when they slumped to 103-5 in response to Ryde’s formidable 280-8.

But Spicer followed captain Jim Edwards’ instructions and turned the match on its head in astonishing style.

“It was a hard track with a lightening outfield and I told Brett to go out an play his natural game – which he did in devastating style,” Edwards said.

Six sixes and 12 fours later, Spicer had scored 111 and, with Chris Batten (54) a reliable partner, added 142 for the sixth wicket to give Ellingham a remarkable victorywith 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Don Gordon (93) and Ben Wadmore (55) underpinned Ryde’s 280-8, Spicer also doing his bit with the ball, taking 3-60.

The win kept Ellingham hot on Waterlooville’s tails at the top – the unbeaten leaders maintaining a two-point lead with a massive 190-run victory over Alton II.

Once again, South African Byron Haycock was to the fore, hitting 91 – he has now scored 641 runs this season – as the Ville piled up 273-3 (Alex Shephard 71) before shooting Alton out for 83.

Locks Heath’s 16-run defeat by improving Easton & Martyr Worthy has probably ended their title prospects.

Former Southampton Solent University left-arm seamer Alex Cates took 6-23, including a hat-trick, as Hook & Newnham Basics II romped to a fourth straight win, beating Shrewton by six wickets.

No love was lost in the Purbrook-Fareham & Crofton match at The Heath – the visitors ended a five-match losing sequence through a six-wicket win – while teenager Felix Ambrose hit 101 not out to lead Lymington II past a St Cross Symondians III total of 231 (Neil Maxwell 73).

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