Steve May and Michael Goodwin set the stage with an opening stand of 119. Then Tim Powell pitched in with career-best bowling figures of 11-0-40-7, destroying the Hungerford reply.

Racing along at five an over, Steve May and Mike Goodwin stopped the chirpy Hungerford attack in its tracks.

Hungerford had to rely on their all-rounder Matthew Mangan to provide the initial breakthrough by bowling May for 54 in the 20th over.

Goodwin went for 63 but his innings of patience and power had worked its spell.

Tim Powell (34) joined Geoff Smith (33) with the score on 159 in the 30th over and by the time they were separated they had added 65 runs at eight an over.

Hungerford bowler Wooldridge mopped up four wickets at the death as Midhurst posted 258.

Panting and Mangan set about their reply with gusto at more than five an over before Powell struck in his fifth over, having Mangan caught behind for an elegant 43.

Hancock and Westbrook had no answer to Powell's vicious inswingers, and he also accounted for Panting to give him four wickets from nine balls.

Bull hit a scorching lofted drive straight at Chris May, who nonchalantly snaffled the catch at mid-off to give the first of two wickets to Goodale.

Sean Kearney replaced Powell for five overs and struck twice.

The last three Hungerford wickets realised only six runs in a total of 124 all out inside 31 overs.

Skipper Kearney was full of praise for Powell, describing his as one of the finest new-ball spells seen by a player in a Midhurst shirt.