PETE HOPSON insists Havant have already shaken off their shock demolition by Lymington.
The Southern Electric Premier League Premier Division title-outsiders went down to a disastrous nine-wicket defeat at Lymington last weekend after they were dismissed for just 50 – their lowest-ever league total – as Matt Metcalfe (8-27) ran riot.
But they went a long way to proving it was just a blip as they delivered the perfect response 24 hours later, beating league leaders South Wilts in their ECB Royal London Club Championship showdown, writes Steve Wilson of The News, Portsmouth..
Havant have now slipped down to fourth place in the table and will attempt to get their campaign back on track at home to Bashley (Rydal), with Rob Gibson returning to the ranks.
Player-coach Hopson said: ‘It was unexpected what happened at Lymington but I think we have already shown a lot of character with our response on the Sunday.
‘It was a pretty different experience within the space of 24 hours. We don’t find ourselves in the position we found ourselves in against Lymington too often, but, when we have in the past, we usually have someone to dig us out of trouble.
‘We only had one or two batsmen chuck their wickets away but Matt Metcalfe just bowled brilliantly. He swung and seamed the ball miles. He is one of the highest wicket-takers in the league.
‘I think five of the wickets were caught by the keeper or the slips and a couple were bowled, so it tells you how well he bowled. We were shocked to lose like that but we weren’t feeling we let ourselves down. We didn’t give our wickets away – he just bowled really, really well. We hoped the ball would stop swinging after a few early wickets.
‘Then when you are chasing down a target like that, you don’t have to try to build an innings. They came out and were trying to whack it out of the ground, and it worked well.’
But Havant rediscovered confidence from their result against South Wilts, having lost to them a few weeks ago in their league clash.
Just 24 hours later, they bullied an admittedly under-strength South Wilts attack for 262 in the ECB Royal London Cup.
Hopson said: ‘We played some great cricket and it was a really good game. I wouldn’t call it revenge but it was very satisfying. Everyone in the league wants to beat them and we have a similar reputation, because a lot of teams really enjoy beating Havant as well.’
Michael Porter, the stand-in Bashley (Rydal) captain, expects to see a plethora of spin bowlers plying their trade when his in-form side – four wins in its last five outings – travels to Havant.
Bashley expect to have South Australian left-arm prospect Tom Andrews and Dorset off-spinner Sam Thomson, ‘doing overtime’ with the ball, while Havant have five specialist slow bowlers in their armoury.
”Historically playing at Havant has always been a spin friendly pitch, which should suit us well,” Porter said.
“Our spinners have been exceptional in the past few matches and I hope they continue their form going into this game.
“We’re taking a good run of form with us into this game and I honestly believe this Bashley side is a top team in the Premier Division and for that reason we should go into every game believing we can win.
Bashley would normally expect to hone in on fragility in Havant’s batting ranks – Stu Ransley’s side having been shot out for an all-time low 50 by Matt Metcalfe and Lymington last week.
But, typically, Havant expect to field a full strength side tomorrow, with Rob Gibson having returned from Durham University.
Havant: Ransley, Hopson, Walker, Gibson, Hindley, Morgan, Stone, Wheal, Bulled, Prentice, Matthews.
Bashley (Rydal): Porter, Webb, Baker, Morris, Andrews, C Ridley, Jacques, Digby, Thomson, Lilley, Nash.
The Southern Electric Premier League Premier Division title-outsiders went down to a disastrous nine-wicket defeat at Lymington last weekend after they were dismissed for just 50 – their lowest-ever league total – as Matt Metcalfe (8-27) ran riot.
But they went a long way to proving it was just a blip as they delivered the perfect response 24 hours later, beating league leaders South Wilts in their ECB Royal London Club Championship showdown, writes Steve Wilson of The News, Portsmouth..
Havant have now slipped down to fourth place in the table and will attempt to get their campaign back on track at home to Bashley (Rydal), with Rob Gibson returning to the ranks.
Player-coach Hopson said: ‘It was unexpected what happened at Lymington but I think we have already shown a lot of character with our response on the Sunday.
‘It was a pretty different experience within the space of 24 hours. We don’t find ourselves in the position we found ourselves in against Lymington too often, but, when we have in the past, we usually have someone to dig us out of trouble.
‘We only had one or two batsmen chuck their wickets away but Matt Metcalfe just bowled brilliantly. He swung and seamed the ball miles. He is one of the highest wicket-takers in the league.
‘I think five of the wickets were caught by the keeper or the slips and a couple were bowled, so it tells you how well he bowled. We were shocked to lose like that but we weren’t feeling we let ourselves down. We didn’t give our wickets away – he just bowled really, really well. We hoped the ball would stop swinging after a few early wickets.
‘Then when you are chasing down a target like that, you don’t have to try to build an innings. They came out and were trying to whack it out of the ground, and it worked well.’
But Havant rediscovered confidence from their result against South Wilts, having lost to them a few weeks ago in their league clash.
Just 24 hours later, they bullied an admittedly under-strength South Wilts attack for 262 in the ECB Royal London Cup.
Hopson said: ‘We played some great cricket and it was a really good game. I wouldn’t call it revenge but it was very satisfying. Everyone in the league wants to beat them and we have a similar reputation, because a lot of teams really enjoy beating Havant as well.’
Michael Porter, the stand-in Bashley (Rydal) captain, expects to see a plethora of spin bowlers plying their trade when his in-form side – four wins in its last five outings – travels to Havant.
Bashley expect to have South Australian left-arm prospect Tom Andrews and Dorset off-spinner Sam Thomson, ‘doing overtime’ with the ball, while Havant have five specialist slow bowlers in their armoury.
”Historically playing at Havant has always been a spin friendly pitch, which should suit us well,” Porter said.
“Our spinners have been exceptional in the past few matches and I hope they continue their form going into this game.
“We’re taking a good run of form with us into this game and I honestly believe this Bashley side is a top team in the Premier Division and for that reason we should go into every game believing we can win.
Bashley would normally expect to hone in on fragility in Havant’s batting ranks – Stu Ransley’s side having been shot out for an all-time low 50 by Matt Metcalfe and Lymington last week.
But, typically, Havant expect to field a full strength side tomorrow, with Rob Gibson having returned from Durham University.
Havant: Ransley, Hopson, Walker, Gibson, Hindley, Morgan, Stone, Wheal, Bulled, Prentice, Matthews.
Bashley (Rydal): Porter, Webb, Baker, Morris, Andrews, C Ridley, Jacques, Digby, Thomson, Lilley, Nash.