Sarisbury Athletic have been reinstated as joint leaders of Division 1 after the Southern Electric Premier League rescinded the ten-point penalty previously imposed following incidents in last month’s match at Liphook & Ripsley.

Following a successful appeal, skipper Dave Banks, who was cited for committing acts of dissent and showing a lack of respect to the umpires, has had his own five-match ban reduced to four – with two games suspended, writes MIKE VIMPANY.

Sarisbury, who host bottom side Hartley Wintney at Allotment Road tomorrow, are now back level with Burridge on 219 points.

Banks, suspended for last week’s rain curtailed visit to New Milton, will sit out tomorrow’s match but, with the other two games suspended until the end of the 2014 season, will be available for the all-important run-in for the title.

Sarisbury could steal a march on Burridge tomorrow as they have a potentially easier fixture than their near neighbours, who host third-placed Liphook & Ripsley at Botley Road.

Hartley Wintney are looking nailed-on certainties to go down, alongside Andover, who have gone five weeks without a win.

“It’s a season-defining game for us. Hambledon are the one team we can catch, but are some way ahead of us in the table,” reflects Andover skipper Jonty Hadfield.

“We’ve got to start firing with the bat, simple as that.”

Hambledon have managed only one win in six games.

Andover: J Hadfield, R Hadfield, G Dawson, S Summers, M Knight, T Lewis, E Duckworth, M Adams, D Foy, L Graham, J Knight Rowledge, who thumped Hook & Newnham Basics last weekend, host New Milton. Fawley entertain Hook in a mid-table affair at Holbury.

Full SEPL preview in today's Daily Echo