A BATTLING all-round team performance enabled Amesbury to overcome a stubborn IBM Hursley as they moved a step closer to promotion from County Division 4 West.

Amesbury's ever reliable opening bowling combination of Gareth Dobson and Jayden Atkinson got to work and immediately caused problems for IBM's openers, Pffier and Rubenstein. The score had advanced to 22 when, in the 10th over, Atkinson's spell was rewarded with the wicket of Rubenstein, trapped LBW for 14.

Dobson backed up the probing spell made by Atkinson and claimed two important wickets towards the end of his spell. First bowling the dangerous Pffier for 23 and then trapping Tailor three balls later for 0 to leave IBM on 52/3.

IBM began a period of rebuilding through Pollard and Meech, although the fourth wicket partnership of 30 was ended by the introduction of Jordan Derbyshire, removing Meech for 14. Bailey himself, was then brought into the attack and claimed the prized scalp of Pollard.

IBM skipper, Rides was joined at the crease by Naqvi, and they began to play a number of aggressive strokes in an attempt to build a respectable first innings total. However, in-form Sumith Surendran wasted no time in dismantling IBM's lower order. First, he removed Rides - bowling him through the gate for 14 - and then shortly followed up with the same mode of dismissal to remove Naqvi for 18.

A suicidal run-out accounted for the next wicket to fall, Ahmed for 0 and Surendran claimed the wickets of Thomas and Wood to dismiss IBM for 140 and return exceptional figures of 4/14.

Surendran was joined in the wickets column by Dobson (2/19), Atkinson (1/15), Derbyshire (1/18) and Bailey (1/27), although key contributions with the ball were also made by Krishnan and Macauley Atkinson respectively.

After a scrumptious tea, Amesbury's openers Jayme Underwood and Adi Berry moved the score to 11, until Underwood was bowled leaving a straight delivery off the dangerous Rides. The score advanced to 21, when Rides claimed his second wicket, removing Berry for seven.

Debutant Sayeem Waliullah joined Derbyshire at the crease, and together began to rebuild while keeping the scoreboard moving along. A key partnership of 41 was ended when, after looking set for another big score, Derbyshire was bowled by Naqvi for 23 to leave Amesbury 62/3. After a couple of nice strokes, Gower was out to a sharp return catch off the bowling of Wood, to depart for 8 and Wood quickly followed up with the wicket of Jayden Atkinson for 1.

Waliullah after playing a resolute and controlled innings, charged at a delivery offered by Wood and was duly stumped to exit after making 29, and leave Amesbury firmly in the mire on 90/6.

However, this proved to be the last wicket to fall as Surendran and Bailey built an unbroken partnership of 51 to see Amesbury home.