A FIVE-WICKET triumph over Mottisfont kept Amesbury in contention for the County Division 4 West title with two games remaining.

The visitors' ever reliable opening bowling combination of Gareth Dobson and Jayden Atkinson got to work and immediately caused problems for Mottisfont's top order. Atkinson was the first to strike, bowling opener Collins through the gate for 0 in his first over. Dobson quickly joined him in the wickets column by removing the dangerous Blake, after inducing an outside edge to wicketkeeper Adi Berry when on 3 to leave Mottisfont 4/2.

Atkinson then accounted for the dismissal of Evans for 6, with Berry claiming a further catch behind the stumps. Amesbury didn't wait long to claim their fourth wicket, as Atkinson's excellent spell was further rewarded with the wicket of Byrne, removing him for two after a low catch by Andy Renshaw positioned at gully. Atkinson eventually finished with superb figures of 3/10.

Dobson's miserly spell continued and after consistently passing the outside edge, claimed a further wicket by bowling Joshi for 1 to leave Mottisfont stranded on 26/5.

The introduction of Jordan Derbyshire proved no let-up for Mottisfont, as he quickly tore into the lower-middle order. First, he removed Wilburn after a difficult catch held by Dave Bailey at deep mid-off, then removed Johnston for an aggressive 17, caught by Atkinson at square leg. Mottisfont opener, Bradwell played nicely, although he was eventually dismissed for 22 when gloving a steeping delivery behind to Berry off Derbyshire. Mottisfont closed their innings on 70.

After tea, Amesbury's openers, Jayme Underwood and Renshaw moved the score to 30 until Renshaw departed for a well-made 23 off the bowling of Blake. Underwood quickly followed, bowled by Bradwell for 11 to leave Amesbury 35/2. Mottisfont then claimed their third wicket by removing Derbyshire for 4 off Bradwell to leave them 44/3. The score advanced to 50 when Bradwell's spell was rewarded with the wickets of Waliullah and Gower for 1 and 0 respectively.

However, this proved to be the last wicket to fall, as Berry and Surendran played with maturity and confidence to bring Amesbury home in the 18th over. Berry finishing on 18 not out while Surendran 10 not out to result in a five-wicket victory.