HARTLEY Wintney won a high scoring thriller against visiting South Wilts II by three runs to continue their climb up the Southern League Division Two table.

The home side batted first after winning the toss and scored 286-7, with the visitor’s reaching 283-9 in reply after their 50 overs.

Hartley captain Danny Plume led by example with the bat with a superb 127, which saw him hit 11 fours and two sixes.

This was after openers Matthew Kerr (35) and Tom Garwood (27) gave them a solid start.

Patrick Joseph (42) also had another good day with the bat, as the village side posted a match winning score in the end.

Tom Pearce led the South Wilts’ wicket takers with three and James Wade took a brace.

The visitors made a good start as openers Owain Phillips (49) and Tom Cowley (53) put on 109 for the first wicket, before both departed in the space of two runs.

Garwood (5-39) was the pick of the home bowlers and removed Rob Pittman (9) caught and bowled as South Wilts reached 130-3.

Ben Draper (59) and Pearce (37) kept their side in the hunt with a fourth wicket stand worth 83 runs.

The same can be said for fifth pair Draper and Stephen Kidd (27) as they moved the score to 257-6.

At this point, Plume (2-45) and Garwood got amongst the wickets as the visitors found themselves 269-8 and then 281-9 with Draper out.

This left the last pair unable to get the visitors over the finishing line as finished three runs short.

Hartley will hope to continue their winning run, when they travel to second placed Calmore Sports this weekend.