Bashley have emerged as clear favourites to lift the New Forest Indoor Cricket League Division 1 title following their comfortable win over Cadnam II.

With their nearest rivals New Milton falling to a shock one-wicket defeat against Burley, Bashley have opened up a seven-point lead with two matches left to play.

With only Paul Jewer (34) in form, Cadnam were bowled out for 100 with Shaun Lilley and Neil Taylor each claiming a brace of wickets. Dale Middleton (34 not out) led the Bashley reply and, assisted by Simon Dean (25 ret) and Ross Grierson (30 ret), set up their four-wicket win with three overs to spare.

New Milton virtually threw away their title hopes when they suffered five run outs as they were dismissed for 112 of which Steve Taylor made 28. Burley lost early wickets but opener Les Browning hit an unbeaten 42 and received good support from last man Michael Moorman (14) as they won off 11.4 overs.

Esso kept the pressure on Bashley with victory over Godshill and they are nine points behind the leaders with the two sides meeting on the last day.

Godshill amassed 154-3 through Jim Harrison (34 not out), Neil Fotheringham (29) and John Hopkinson (26 not out).

Esso were given a fine start by Andy Parratt (37 not out), Steve Rice (25 ret) and John Doe (25) and they won by three wickets with five balls left.

Esso II's disastrous run continued with a 74-run defeat at the hands of Lymington who amassed 175-3 with 57 extras boosting good knocks from Matt Molloy (32), Wayne Smith (29 not out) and Peter Tapper (26 not out).

Esso were never in the hunt but their 101-5 gained them a bonus point which doubled their points tally.

Swan Green maintained their promotion bid in Division 2 with a four-run win over Ringwood. Charlie Haskell (29 ret), Tim Lines (26 ret) and Ben Arnold (26 ret) did well but it was 58 extras that lifted Swan to 166-0. Glen Davies (42 not out) and Craig Seymour (36 not out) got Ringwood very close but they finished on 156-4.

Mark Gannaway hit 36 not out as five-man Lymington II finished on 107-4. This proved no problem to Pylewell Park II who cruised to a five-wicket win (John Royan 27 ret).