Out-of-form Paultons have probably destroyed any championship ambitions Old Tauntonians & Romsey had in Southern Electric Premier Division 2.
The title seemed to be OTs for the taking when they led Portsmouth by seven points with three games to go.
But they crashed in quite remarkable fashion – bowled out for a paltry 67 – losing to a Paultons side that had lost its previous eight matches.
OTs thumping 144-run defeat may have laid the title on a plate to Portsmouth, who beat Hambledon by three wickets to secure a ten point lead at the top with two matches to play.
Things began to go awry for OTs when Rob O’Brien (65) and Nigel Feltham (48) shared a near century fifth wicket stand to point Paultons to 211-8 (Chris Hall 36).
Feltham’s innings included one enormous six which sailed over some tall trees way back off the boundary.
OTs response was not in keeping with a side with championship credentials – Jack Murrell (4-32), Tony Richman (3-16) and Andrew Denney (3-4) skittling them for a season’s low 67.
OTs are already promoted, but must now win their last two matches at Sparsholt and at home to almost relegated Hursley Park if they are to burgle the championship at the 11th hour.
That would mean Portsmouth losing at either third-placed Bashley (Rydal) II or Tichborne Park in their final game.
But Portsmouth almost came a cropper chasing down Hambledon’s modest at Ridge Meadow.
They plunged to 72-7 (Richard Locke 49) but were rescued by Vickram Dawson (33) and Australian Pat Burns (35), who shared an unbroken eighth-wicket stand to win the match.
The game changed when 19-year old Prad Bains was forced out of the Hambledon attack, having taken 6-40.
ECB regulations prevent 19-year old pace bowlers from bowling more than seven overs a a time to protect them from injury.
Hursley Park are dangling on the precipice of a drop into the bottom tier of Southern Electric Premier League cricket.
A comprehensive 96-run defeat by fellow strugglers Sparsholt has left the Park 31 points adrift, with only 44 points left to play for.
Basically, they must beat Hambledon in their final home match at The Quarters on Saturday or face the drop in Division 3 cricket next season.
Sparsholt, meanwhile, celebrated a third straight win at Locks Lane with Tommy Viljeon (61) getting some valuable support from Kyle Ruffell (26) and Tom Foster (23) before Andy Worth hit a handy 36 not out.
A total of 204 was always beyond Hursley’s remit, three wickets returns from Alex Dilley (3-29) and Jon Vokes (3-23) reducing the visitors to 108 all out.
A Graham Noble inspired 140-run win over Bashley (Rydal) II came too little too late for relegated Langley Manor, who look near enough certain to finish bottom of Premier Division 2.
Noble (pictured) hit 57 and later took 3-32 as the manor successfully defended 183.
With Noble and Steve Harris (33) going well, Langley Manor looked set for a decent total at 164-4, but they lost their last six wickets for 19 runs, Andy Neal (3-16) and Neil Taylor (3-37) cutting through the lower order.
Simon Peters (3-23) caused Bashley to wobble at 71-5, but an unbeaten 59 by Neal, included in a half-century stand with Ross Grierson (24), got Bashley close at 169 all out.
The title seemed to be OTs for the taking when they led Portsmouth by seven points with three games to go.
But they crashed in quite remarkable fashion – bowled out for a paltry 67 – losing to a Paultons side that had lost its previous eight matches.
OTs thumping 144-run defeat may have laid the title on a plate to Portsmouth, who beat Hambledon by three wickets to secure a ten point lead at the top with two matches to play.
Things began to go awry for OTs when Rob O’Brien (65) and Nigel Feltham (48) shared a near century fifth wicket stand to point Paultons to 211-8 (Chris Hall 36).
Feltham’s innings included one enormous six which sailed over some tall trees way back off the boundary.
OTs response was not in keeping with a side with championship credentials – Jack Murrell (4-32), Tony Richman (3-16) and Andrew Denney (3-4) skittling them for a season’s low 67.
OTs are already promoted, but must now win their last two matches at Sparsholt and at home to almost relegated Hursley Park if they are to burgle the championship at the 11th hour.
That would mean Portsmouth losing at either third-placed Bashley (Rydal) II or Tichborne Park in their final game.
But Portsmouth almost came a cropper chasing down Hambledon’s modest at Ridge Meadow.
They plunged to 72-7 (Richard Locke 49) but were rescued by Vickram Dawson (33) and Australian Pat Burns (35), who shared an unbroken eighth-wicket stand to win the match.
The game changed when 19-year old Prad Bains was forced out of the Hambledon attack, having taken 6-40.
ECB regulations prevent 19-year old pace bowlers from bowling more than seven overs a a time to protect them from injury.
Hursley Park are dangling on the precipice of a drop into the bottom tier of Southern Electric Premier League cricket.
A comprehensive 96-run defeat by fellow strugglers Sparsholt has left the Park 31 points adrift, with only 44 points left to play for.
Basically, they must beat Hambledon in their final home match at The Quarters on Saturday or face the drop in Division 3 cricket next season.
Sparsholt, meanwhile, celebrated a third straight win at Locks Lane with Tommy Viljeon (61) getting some valuable support from Kyle Ruffell (26) and Tom Foster (23) before Andy Worth hit a handy 36 not out.
A total of 204 was always beyond Hursley’s remit, three wickets returns from Alex Dilley (3-29) and Jon Vokes (3-23) reducing the visitors to 108 all out.
A Graham Noble inspired 140-run win over Bashley (Rydal) II came too little too late for relegated Langley Manor, who look near enough certain to finish bottom of Premier Division 2.
Noble (pictured) hit 57 and later took 3-32 as the manor successfully defended 183.
With Noble and Steve Harris (33) going well, Langley Manor looked set for a decent total at 164-4, but they lost their last six wickets for 19 runs, Andy Neal (3-16) and Neil Taylor (3-37) cutting through the lower order.
Simon Peters (3-23) caused Bashley to wobble at 71-5, but an unbeaten 59 by Neal, included in a half-century stand with Ross Grierson (24), got Bashley close at 169 all out.