But this time the pair went past the 200 mark, smashing the League record of 237 for any partnership, eventually ending on 268 when Harvey was bowled for 118.

Unusually it was Harvey who took the early initiative, for once outscoring his more experienced partner as he raced to 50 in 12 overs. By the time Hearsey reached his 50, Harvey was on 85, but as soon as he entered the nervous 90's all momentum halted as he took a leaf out of the captain's book and proved that there's not only an 'I' in Jamie, but also an "M" and an "E". Virtually every run from 85 onwards came in singles, with plenty of dot balls in-between, as the Chairman tried to make certain of the first "non-ringer" hundred for the new club. However, by the time he reached 99, Hearsey was now on 97, influenced by the lure of 5 free pints from the captain if he beat Harvey to his hundred. It wasn't to be however, as first Harvey and then Hearsey reached their centuries with the score on 206 without loss after 33 overs.

Hearsey then kicked on, hitting an incredible 10 sixes with that piece of wood he calls a cricket bat. Imagine what he could do with a Funky!!

With the score on 260-0 after 38 overs, the pair had their sights on a 300 run partnership, but Harvey was then bowled, trying to replicate some of the big hits which were coming from the other end.

Matt Shellum was in the unenviable position of having 38 overs of pad rash, and as is so often the case after a big partnership, was promptly out for naught. He was in a no win situation.

Arthur Webb continued his new philosophy of scoring runs and added four before being bowled by Robertson, who ended with 3 for 63. For the third week in a row, Winterbourne improved on their highest ever score, ending with 279-3. Hearsey was unbeaten on a superb 153. Only 8 runs now separate the opening pair in their battle for leading run scorer with one game to go.

Amport's reply got off to a slow start with only 6 runs coming from the first 6 overs. The skipper once again opened with himself as he battles with his personal achievement of 43 wickets for the league record. Starting the day on 37, it took 8 overs until he had number 38 when Randall was caught by Webb for 2. With the Amport batsmen going into their shell, a change of tactics was required if Winterbourne were going to pick up maximum points. On came Steve Nicholls, playing he first came for the 1sts. He bowled a great spell of 7 overs, 1 for 24, including a superb caught and bowled for his first wicket for Winterbourne. Stuart Fraser and Chris Webb then came on, with Webb once again taking a wicket, thanks to some dubious umpiring from Peter Sadler.

With Newman back on, two more wickets fell, taking him to 40 wickets - 3 now needed in the final game. At 75-5 off 29, maximum points were looking unlikely. In an effort to induce some wickets, Harvey rolled back the years, bowling leg spin for the first time since 1990, and immediately showed the captain what he had been missing. After 4 overs for 9 runs he was astonishingly taken off and forced to change ends where his figures deteriorated with an appalling 35 runs coming off the next 2 overs.

Craig Johnson made his first contribution to the game, taking a late wicket to give Winterbourne hope, but Amport finished on 152-7 from their 42 overs. Birks batted well, ending with 42 not out.

With only 22 points gained, Winterbourne consolidate their position of second in the league, and now rely on OT's & Romsey slipping up next week if they are to take the title.

The seconds moved closer to clinching NW4 after a good win at Winterslow. They can wrap the title up next week if they beat OT's & Romsey at home.

Good luck to everyone - lets hope we can have a double celebration next week.