UNSUNG hero Morgan Rushbrook played a starring role as Lymington took a giant stride towards securing promotion to the top flight.

The Cardiff University student followed up his 94 with a crucial spell of four for 34 as Lymington eclipsed their main rivals Old Tauntonians and Romsey by 86 runs.

Rushbrook was born in the year Lymington were last crowned Southern League champions and the 23-year-old has made numerous valuable contributions this season.

A quirk of fate saw Max Smith - one of Lymington's 1985 heroes - claim five for 36 and hit 24 as OTs briefly threatened to throw a spanner in the works.

But with club coach Rushbrook in fine form with both bat and ball, Lymington's 209 for nine proved a bridge too far for OTs who were sent packing for 124.

Victory in their final two matches of the season - against Liphook & Ripsley and New Milton - would see Lymington elevated to the Premier Division.

  • New Milton's challenge was blown off course on the Isle of Wight where Ventnor's Ian Hilsum bowled his side to a convincing 105-run victory.

Chasing Ventnor's 216 (Matt Freeman 5-32), New Milton were undone by Hilsum (7-26), with only Greg Fotheringham (25) offering any resistance as they were shot out for 111.