Old Tauntonians & Romsey threw themselves a massive lifeline in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 relegation struggle when they sent promotion chasing Hartley Wintney crashing to a seven-wicket defeat at the Romsey Sports Centre.

Put into bat, Hartley Wintney appeared well placed as Jack Hersh (32) and Daniel Plume (58) moved them onto 61-1.

But when Rob Newman (3-40) removed Hersh, Hartley lost three wickets for one run – and never really recovered.

Another flurry of wickets followed at 113-4, leaving Matt Digweed (24) to guide HW past the attention of Jody Brown (3-25) and Steve Kay (2-33) and to 153 all out.

Brown then piloted OTs to a vital win, carrying his bat for 46 not out and sharing important stands with Newman (41) and Gus Flack (26 not out) as the hosts celebrated a maximum-point seven-wicket victory.

OTs are now ahead of both Langley Manor and Totton & Eling II at the bottom – the latter pair both losing their latest games.

Langley Manor were dismissed for 123 and beaten by five wickets by Portsmouth at St Helen’s, Southsea.

The Manor plunged from 33-0 to 59-6 and were indebted to Stevie Harris (43) for their eventual 123 all out.

Graham Noble (4-44) led the Manor fightback in the field, but an unbeaten 51 by Robin Jones got the city side home.

Totton & Eling II plunged to 49 all out and a crushing 192-run defeat by Paultons at Whitemoor lane.

Tony Richman took the first three wickets at a personal cost of two runs in a nine-over spell, eight of which were maidens.

Andy Denny grabbed the limelight after that, taking a personal best six wickets for four runs in 6.1 overs as the junior Eels folded.

Earlier, Eric Linge belted three sixes and 13 fours in a personal best 96 as Paultons posted 241-6, with Scott Duggan making 46 not out in a 135-run partnership.