NEW Look opened up the title race in Swift Signs Division One as they gained revenge for their Echo Cup final loss with a win over Budmouth.

The league leaders had started well by restricting New Look to 114 after opener Andy Laidlow scored an explosive 64, which included three sixes, and Rich Cole (27) had got off to a good start.

The introduction of Xenon Ellis (5-20) saw their dismissal before he ripped through the middle order, with Andy Mead (2-35) and Rene Lawson (2-2) also chipping in.

Budmouth lost their cup hero Nick Murray, caught behind off the first ball of their reply to Geoff Lloyd (3-20) and from then on New Look’s bowlers kept it tight.

Dave Baney (23) and Neil Walton (36no) gave the home side hope, but they fell short by 15 runs at the close.

Saggies moved to within two points of the leaders with an 11-run victory against the Lugger.

A fine bowling display by the basement side saw them restrict Saggies to 74-8 from their 16 overs, as no batsman reached any higher than Simon Browne’s dogged knock of 16.

The Lugger fared no better in a low-scoring affair at Redlands, as only Andy Jarvis (29) and Marc Nott (12no) reached double figures, thanks to some controlled bowling from openers Ben Doidge (3-11) and Paul Gadsby (3-9).

Browne (3-15) continued the assault as the Lugger were all out for 63 with an over remaining.

The George Inn destroyed the Portland Arms’ Division Two title hopes with a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Reforne.

Dave Adkins (43) was the lone resistance to the George’s attack as Les Spencer (3-9) and Lenny Hansford (3-23) dismantled their top and middle order and the Arms eventually limped to 62-8.

The George made short work of the run chase with youngsters Jordan Wilson (15no), Matt Randell (15) and Callan Laws (33no) knocking off the winning runs in under eight overs.

Cosmos and the Marquis of Granby played out a thrilling game at Redlands that went right to the final ball.

Batting first Montgomery stroked a sublime 102 not out, becoming only the second Cosmos batsman in their 29-year history to record a century.

Good support led to a competitive target of 138 off 16 overs.

Andy Fowler (64no) and Luke Carrington (34) forged a fine opening partnership of 80 which saw the Marquis well ahead of the run-rate at the halfway point.

A steady loss of wickets swung the match in Cosmos’ favour and a brilliant last over from youngster Tompkins (2-43) left the Marquis needing four to win off the last ball.

Fowler came agonisingly close but he was only able to score two runs with the whole fielding side on the boundary and Cosmos edged it to climb up to third.

RESULTS Division One: New Look 114 (A Laidlow 64, R Cole 27, X Ellis 5-20, R Lawson 2-2, A Mead 2-35) beat Budmouth 99-5 (N Walton 36, D Baney 23, G Lloyd 3-20, R Cole 2-32) by 15 runs.

Saggies 74-8 (S Browne 16) beat The Lugger 63-9 (A Jarvis 29, P Gadsby 3-9, B Doidge 3-11, S Browne 3-15) by 11 runs.

Tandoori Longshots v Moby Dick’s Bears –postponed.

Division Two: George Inn 65-1 (C Laws 33, C Stones 1-22) beat Royal Portland Arms 62-8 (D Adkins 43, L Spencer 3-9, L Hansford 3-23) by 9 wickets.

Cosmos 138-5 (S Montgomery 102no, A Legg 2-12) beat Marquis of Granby 137-5 (A Fowler 68no, L Carrington 34, R Burdett 2-36, S Tompkins 2-43) by 1 run.