Hursley Park will need to quell Alton's free scoring top-order batsmen if they are to enhance their Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 leadership claims at The Quarters tomorrow.

Quick scoring by opening pair Bruce Oliphant and Howard Gadsby has been the catalyst behind most of Alton's victory romps this season - and Adrian Aymes will have to keep the pair in check if Hursley are to win tomorrow.

Alton are without Richie Morgan, while Hursley Park have yet to announce their line-up.

It's a key day at the top, with Sparsholt entertaining Ventnor and seeking revenge for a narrow defeat on the Island earlier in the season.

Jerry Frith returns for Sparsholt, while fourth-placed Ventnor are at full strength.

A basement battle looms at Privett Park, where Easton & Martyr Worthy must get their attitude right and get vital points off Gosport Borough, who have also managed only one win so far.

Calmore Sports, boosted by double successes against Lymington and Easton & MW in the past fortnight, go to St Cross Symondians.

Paultons face more setbacks

Tony Richman will be a reluctant spectator when Paultons resume their Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 challenge against Trojans at Whitemoor Lane tomorrow, 1pm.

Richman broke his ankle in last Sunday's npower Village Cup defeat at Findon and will probably be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Also out for Paultons, who have slipped to the sixth rung after losing their last two matches, is influential captain John Robinson, who is in Germany on business.

Trojans, meanwhile, are boosted by the return by Nigel le Bas, Jamie Donaldson and Chris Mitchell as they bid to climb the table.

Leaders Rowledge, the only unbeaten team in the entire SPL, have a home banker against winless Bournemouth II, while second placed Havant II field a powerful side, including Paul Gover, against Hartley Wintney.

Making his Havant debut is Hampshire Under-19 captain Tom Cledwin, who has been prolific form with the bat in youth cricket this season, with four centuries already to his name.

South Wilts II's basement clash with Bashley (Rydal) II will have a key bearing on the relegation positions.