PROMOTION-CHASING Amesbury continued their fine start to Hampshire County 4 West Division by clinching a fourth win in five games.

Their latest seven-wicket victory arrived at the hands of Bournemouth-based CBBEA at their Archer's Gate home to steer into second.

Amesbury's opening bowling combination of Gareth Dobson and Jayden Atkinson began positively, although CBBEA's openers Alan Wright and Rob Schuhkins punished any loose deliveries and accelerated the score to 40, until Schuhkins was caught and bowled by Atkinson for 21.

CBBEA continued to keep the scoreboard ticking along. However, the introduction of Arun Krishnan proved dividends as he removed CBBEA's number three Craig McLean when looking set on 28. At the other end, Macauley Atkinson bowled patiently and was rewarded with the wicket of opener Alan Wright, leg before for a well made 32.

Krishnan shortly followed up in removing Steve Light and Dino Thaker in relatively quick succession to leave CBBEA in trouble at 93/5.

But Amesbury were left to rue missed opportunities in the field, as Ross Mills brought CBBEA back into the game with a number of crisp strokes, finishing on 64 not out and closing the innings on 181/5.

In response, Amesbury's openers Underwood and Andy Renshaw began positively, until Renshaw was caught behind off the bowling of Hikkaduwa for 16 with the score on 21. Underwood and Jordan Derbyshire continued to build momentum until Underwood was bowled for 16 off the bowling of King.

CBBEA didn't wait long to claim their third wicket, leaving the game firmly in the balance with Amesbury on 85/3.

However, this proved to be the last wicket to fall as Derbyshire and Dale Gower batted beautifully, scoring freely in tandem and punishing anything loose to help edge Amesbury over the line.