ALL CONQUERING Bashley (Rydal) know they can knock one of their leading rivals out of the Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southern League Championship race tomorrow, if they beat fourth-placed Bournemouth at Bashley Common Lane (1pm).

A third defeat would put Bournemouth out of contention altogether and strengthen Bashley's title claim.

At the mid-point of the season, they are already 18 points clear of Hungerford at the top.

While Bashley were sweeping to a seventh successive win - by seven wickets at Portsmouth - Bournemouth dropped to fourth spot after an unexpected two-wicket loss against South Wilts.

Tomorrow's local derby features a head on clash between the Southern League's two leading run scorers.

Bournemouth skipper Mike Stonier has chalked up 339 runs - 17 more than Luke Ronchi, Bashley's young Western Australian prospect, with 322.

Dorset captain Stuart Rintoul returns for Bournemouth. Bashley expect to be unchanged, with Neil Thurgood still injured.

Even though they won their first game at Andover last week, Waterlooville should pose few problems for title holders Hungerford at Rowlands Avenue. But all-rounder Alex Barr, representing Wales in the Triple Crown tournament in Dublin, may be missing.

Likewise, third-placed South Wilts should account for BAT Sports, although the return of former Hampshire 2nd XI off-spinner Richard Dibden will boost the visitors.

With Paul Marks not fully fit and cur-rently playing in the Hampshire League, Jimmy Taylor will lead weakened Winchester KS against Andover at River Park.

Either Havant or Portsmouth, both with two defeats, will knock each other out of the title frame at Havant Park.

Havant are, though, through to the last 16 of the ECB Club Championship against Teddington, after a four-wicket regional final victory over Reading.

Calmore Sports host in-form Old Tauntonians & Romsey, who have whipped both Portsmouth and Havant in the past fortnight.

It's a significant day in the lower reaches of the table, with six of the bottom nine coming face to face.

Lymington bid to stave off a fifth successive defeat at Burridge, whose top order is weakened by the absence of Neil Cunningham and John Francis. Basement boys Hambledon travel to Liphook & Ripsley, with Alton welcoming back Julian Ballinger against Wellow & Plaitford.

Sparsholt and Rowledge, top dogs in Hampshire League, Division 1, clash at Locks Lane, 1.30pm.

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