NOMANSLAND won the toss and took first knock at home to high-flying New Milton thirds.

Sam Dempster smacked three boundaries in the first five balls he faced from Andy Beck but dragged the last ball of the over onto his stumps.

Darren Grayer (10) and Jason King (17) looked comfortable but three wickets fell in quick fashion to leave the home side wobbling on 48-4.

Two more wickets fell at 79 as Nomansland struggled on, but Gary Loveless and youngster Sam Barcia added 35 for the seventh wicket before Barcia exited for a useful 16.

Loveless was eventually ninth out for a valiant 42, and a late blast from James Mason with 14 not out saw the home side to a below par score of 144-9 at tea. The varied visiting attack all bowled well, with Beck 3-41 the pick.

New Milton lost two wickets with the score on 17 to Terry Harrison, but Harry Ennals and Pete Wakefield added 70 before Wakefield was out leg before for 33. Ennals (39) was out with just seven runs left to win, but Alex Mills with 23 not out saw the visitors home with five wickets in hand.