HARTLEY Wintney’s promotion hopes in Southern League Division Two were dented as they lost at St Cross II by four wickets.

The visitors elected to bat and openers Will Kerr (57) and Rex Porter (7) put on 88 for the first wicket, before both parted in the space of 10 runs.

Henry Collier (68) and Danny Plume (34) took up the mantle adding 102 for the third wicket, to take the score to 200-3.

However, both were then dismissed without a run being added and the visitors were then soon 218-8. After this only James Beckwith (15) got into double figures, as they ended on 231-8.

The St Cross reply got off to a good start as former Hampshire opener Jason Laney (54) and Paul Hawkins (58) put on an opening stand worth 121.

Mark Teale ( 2-50) got rid of both of them, but Matt Haworth (37) and Alex Ayers (37 not out) moved the score to 184-4.

Then Ayers and Roland Fowler (20) got the home side to within touching distance of winning, which was finished off by Ayers and Harry Tussler with three overs to spare.

This weekend, Hartley are at home to South Wilts II.