HUGO Hammond struck a career best 139 as Hartley Wintney piled up a massive 354 against Bashley (Rydal) seconds – only to finish on the losing side.

The New Forest club successfully defended 372-6 to win by 18 runs and do boost their prospects of Southern Premier Division 2 survival.

James Turner (117) and Ryan Taylor (106) hit centuries for Bashley before Sam Stroud made 57 and Austin Andrews 42 not out.

In a 50-over match that produced a staggering 726 runs – each side hit 12 sixes and 33 fours – Hartley finished agonizingly close, with Hammond scoring 139, James Mulvey (47), Angus Brown (39) and Ryan Bone 30.

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