Trojans are suffering from a serious case of the jitters as the Southern Premier League Division 2 title race hots up.
After winning their first eight games, Trojans looked nailed-on certainties to win the league.
But two defeats in the past three weeks – and a demanding run-in ahead – Trojans’ are asking questions of themselves.
Their lead at the top was trimmed to a mere eight points by a 14-run defeat by Sparsholt.
After beating Tichborne Park, second placed Calmore Sports are now fancying their own chances, though everything will hinge on the outcome of Trojans’ visit to Loperwood Park on August 20.
Trojans were left kicking themselves after letting Sparsholt off the hook at 43-5 and later 111-8 (Jamie Donaldson 3-26).
James Keoch (35) and former Colden Common all-rounder Chris Mitchell (23) lifted Sparsholt to 159 all out – a total Trojans failed to match.
Dan Babidge (38) and Ed Pope (25) guided their response to 94-3, but Trojans lower order fell apart and they were bowled out for 135.
Teenage left-hander Ben Johns (51) piloted Calmore Sports to a five-wicket win over Tichborne Park, who stumbled from 94-3 to 153 all out.
Mark Lavelle (3-25), Paul Proudley (3-36) and Mike West (2-20) did the damage for Calmore, who were guided home by Ben Moss (27) and James Rose (25).
Fourth placed Hambledon looked anything like promotion contenders as they plunged to 102-7 (Shane Nkomo 42) and an eventual 166 all out at Bemerton.
South Wilts II didn’t experience too many problems polishing off the target, Sam Arnold hitting 42 not out.
Bashley (Rydal) II secured a third successive win when they beat New Forest relegation rivals Fawley by 64 runs – but they are still in the bottom two !
Phil Morris (50) and Ross Grierson (40) secured Bashley’s position at 102-1 at Waterside, where a total of 190-8 proved beyond Fawley.
Andy Parratt (41) and Callum Earl (29) responded, but three-wicket stints by Neil Taylor (3-10) and young Patrick Holly (3-32) bowled Fawley out for 136.
Bottom of the pile Paultons ended a four-match losing streak with a desperately needed 53-run win at Hartley Wintney.
Scott Hills struck a maiden 101 to guide Paultons to 239 (Nigel Feltham 45) before James Holgate (5-56) toasted his first five-wicket haul to bowl HW out for 186 (Danny Plume 75).
After winning their first eight games, Trojans looked nailed-on certainties to win the league.
But two defeats in the past three weeks – and a demanding run-in ahead – Trojans’ are asking questions of themselves.
Their lead at the top was trimmed to a mere eight points by a 14-run defeat by Sparsholt.
After beating Tichborne Park, second placed Calmore Sports are now fancying their own chances, though everything will hinge on the outcome of Trojans’ visit to Loperwood Park on August 20.
Trojans were left kicking themselves after letting Sparsholt off the hook at 43-5 and later 111-8 (Jamie Donaldson 3-26).
James Keoch (35) and former Colden Common all-rounder Chris Mitchell (23) lifted Sparsholt to 159 all out – a total Trojans failed to match.
Dan Babidge (38) and Ed Pope (25) guided their response to 94-3, but Trojans lower order fell apart and they were bowled out for 135.
Teenage left-hander Ben Johns (51) piloted Calmore Sports to a five-wicket win over Tichborne Park, who stumbled from 94-3 to 153 all out.
Mark Lavelle (3-25), Paul Proudley (3-36) and Mike West (2-20) did the damage for Calmore, who were guided home by Ben Moss (27) and James Rose (25).
Fourth placed Hambledon looked anything like promotion contenders as they plunged to 102-7 (Shane Nkomo 42) and an eventual 166 all out at Bemerton.
South Wilts II didn’t experience too many problems polishing off the target, Sam Arnold hitting 42 not out.
Bashley (Rydal) II secured a third successive win when they beat New Forest relegation rivals Fawley by 64 runs – but they are still in the bottom two !
Phil Morris (50) and Ross Grierson (40) secured Bashley’s position at 102-1 at Waterside, where a total of 190-8 proved beyond Fawley.
Andy Parratt (41) and Callum Earl (29) responded, but three-wicket stints by Neil Taylor (3-10) and young Patrick Holly (3-32) bowled Fawley out for 136.
Bottom of the pile Paultons ended a four-match losing streak with a desperately needed 53-run win at Hartley Wintney.
Scott Hills struck a maiden 101 to guide Paultons to 239 (Nigel Feltham 45) before James Holgate (5-56) toasted his first five-wicket haul to bowl HW out for 186 (Danny Plume 75).