Petersfield’s first team crashed to a nine-wicket defeat at Hampshire Cricket League Division Two leaders Sarisbury Athletic on Saturday.

The wicket looked perfect for batting and James Walton won the toss and chose to bat for the first time this season.

Petersfield lost Jake Hastie for two after he got a good one and could only edge it to the keeper. This brought Walton to the crease, and the score reached 69 for one before David Marshall was leg before wicket for a well-made 24. Adam De Swardt played a nice cut shot but was then deceived by left-arm spinner Jon Floyd and was bowled for six. Joe Clarke and Ben Anscombe followed in quick succession, which meant Chris Russell and Walton needed to produce a solid partnership. Russell played well for his 25 and helped get the score to 161 for six with seven overs left. Walton continued to tick away and when Lucas Latham came to the crease the score was on 180 with two overs remaining. With hard running and some powerful blows Petersfield finished on 209 for seven. Walton finished on 102 not out.

It was always going to be a tough job for Petersfield to defend their score on a very good batting wicket. Sarisbury were 122 without loss after 20 overs and eventually chased the total with only one wicket down.

Petersfield’s second team fell to a nine-wicket defeat against Solent Rangers on Saturday.

The match was played at Churcher’s College after the outfield at The Heath was severely damaged last week. Richard Stephens (30) top scored as Petersfield were bowled out for 100. Solent Rangers knocked the runs off in 18 overs.

Petersfield’s third team slipped to a 109-run defeat at Ropley’s second team on Saturday. Ropley scored 179 for seven before bowling Petersfield out for 70.