A MASTERFUL batting display from James Scott secured a terrific win for Purley against a strong Spencer side.

It was a thrilling game that ebbed and flowed before Purley, battling for survival, upset the odds to secure the winning runs with just two wickets in hand.

Purley skipper Keith Medlycott won the toss and inserted the hosts, but Andrew Mawson got Spencer off to a flying start punishing anything loose especially off Nav Chaudry and benefiting from a lightning fast outfield.

Adnan Saleem dismissed Azeem Ghumman lbw for six before Assad Naeem had Luke Billingham caught by Chaudry and Saleem picked up Mawson to leave Spencer at 49-3. When Naeem then dismissed Josh Lawrence for five, Purley sensed an opportunity.

But a fifth-wicket stand of almost 100 between Conor Radloff and Pierre Jason put Spencer back in charge.

Radloff was caught behind off Saleem but the introduction of captain Neil Baker at seven looked like taking the game away from Purley. Jason moved to a fine hundred but was overshadowed by Baker who played some extravagant shots. When the spinners Andy Macdonald and Khan were introduced for the last 10 overs, he played switch hits for four massive sixes.

Jason eventually holed out to Saleem off Macdonald for 111 with the score on 256-6 allowing Baker to put on 31 for the final wicket without new batsman George Edwards facing a ball as Spencer retired on 287-6, Baker unbeaten on 84.

In reply, John Fry hit Jimmy Birt for a couple of big shots before Birt got his revenge by taking out his off-stump.

When Lucas Macdonald was bowled for seven, Scott came to the crease at 22-2 and began the start of the best innings of his career.

He took on George Edwards from the first ball and played some fantastic shots, helping Fuaad Syed to ease Purley over 100-2 at a good rate.

Both batsmen passed 50 as the score passed 150-2 before Ghumman made the breakthrough having Syed caught behind and two more quick wickets fell.

Naeem played a vital cameo role, hitting some early boundaries, but the crucial moment saw Ghumman drop Scott on the long-off boundary and the ball went for six.

Scott reached his century before Edwards bowled Naeem for 24. Medlycott and latterly Razi Khan joined Scott to inch Purley nearer to the win and with four runs left, Scott was caught by Michael Edwards off Birt for 147 off just 153 balls.

Khan hit the winning runs to seal a monumental Purley victory and keep alive their chances of survival.