ROPLEY beat second-placed Purbrook at Vicarage Lane to open up the race for the second promotion place behind likely Hampshire League champions Alton II.

Purbrook skipper Martin Lee elected to bat and watched four partners get starts but fail to stick around. Jimmy Hawkins took two wickets in his opening spell, while Will Gabb beat the bat regularly.

Lee eventually misjudged a ball from wily spinner Seb Newens and was bowled for 51 in the in the 31st over. A miserly spell from 14-year-old George Wickens helped build some late-innings pressure, but Kiwi Ben Michel scored a quickfire 41 to take the visitors to a useful 216-9 in their 50 overs.

Ropley lost two wickets inside ten overs, but that brought in-form Tim Niemand to the crease and, 36 overs later, the South African brought up his century with a towering six over deep midwicket, having offered only one half-chance on 80.

Opener Rob Smith supported with a patient 48, after which Ropley needed just two more partnerships to seal victory, with Niemand finishing 104 not out and further damaging his relationship with neighbours of the cricket club, one house in particular coming under heavy fire.

After six straight wins, Ropley climb to fourth in the league table.