Paul Marks used all his experience to get Fawley over the preliminary round hurdle in the ECB national club championships at Wimborne.

The former Winchester opener carried his bat for an unbeaten 46 as Fawley struggled to overhaul Wimborne & Colehill’s 135-9 at The Leaze.

Fawley had last year’s Dorset League winners wobbling at 83-7 at one stage, but an undefeated 51 by Francis Kerins gave them a competitive total.

The oilmen eventually reached their target for the loss of five wickets, with three overs to spare.

Rob Jones fell two runs short of a century as Portsmouth comfortably beat Billingshurst by 82 runs at St Helen’s, Southsea.

Jones made 98 and shared a century-plus second-wicket stand with Jack Marston (68) as Portsmouth posted 227-4 before pegging their West Sussex opponents to 135-9.

Portsmouth Grammar School sports master Scott Curwood wrecked the Billingshurst top order with a 4-12 new-ball spell.

Portsmouth host Alton in the first round of the competition at St Helen’s on Sunday, 1pm.

Liphook & Ripsley’s 219-7 – Ryan Covey (68) and Rob Nicklin (42) shared a century partnership - proved too many for Cranleigh, who were dismissed for 171, former Southampton University all-rounder Jamie Richards taking 3-33.