BASINGSTOKE and North Hants enjoyed a thrilling two-wicket win over local rivals Hartley Wintney in their Southern Electric Premier League Division One season opener at May’s Bounty.
The home side won what turned out to be a very intriguing contest with three overs to spare, but both sides will feel that they could have claimed victory.
Having lost the toss and been put into bat by the home side, Hartley scored 203-5, an innings built around fine knocks from Matt Kerr (70) and Aaron Wivell (72). Kerr and impressive Australian Wivell added 88 for the third wicket before Kerr was dismissed by a superb catch from Craig Williamson. Wivell then hit both Basingstoke spinners, Matt Thankachan and Dave Pistorius, over the boundary rope in consecutive overs. The return of medium pacer Mitchell Stokes proved to be the Aussie’s undoing as Williamson took a fine catch at mid-wicket to end his excellent 87-ball knock.
Basingstoke’s reply started briskly, but Tommy Flanders (2-27) and Chris Jolley (2-59) reduced the Bountymen to 47-4 in the 13th over. Williamson (17) and James (63) added 57 for the fifth wicket, before Williamson was bowled by Scott Baldwin (2-36). James hit successive sixes off Hartley skipper Jamie Teale and the home side seemed to be cruising to victory, but then two quick wickets and a run-out left them on 188-8. Ryan Connor and Graham Porter turned the tide with an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 19, Connor hitting the winning four.
Hartley skipper Teale remained upbeat despite the loss, but this week the village side face yet another tough game. They visit New Milton, who finished as runners-up last season. They will make one change. Opener Kerr is unavailable, so Danny Plume will come into the line-up.
Looking ahead to the game, Teale said: “I felt we put in a very good performance against Basingstoke, who will be one of the top sides in this league. We will now look forward to our trip to New Milton, who we beat last year in the T20. It should be an interesting game.”
Basingstoke captain Chris Froud felt his side did not execute their game plan against Hartley and is looking for a much better performance when they travel to Liphook & Ripsley. The Bountymen are hoping that all-rounder Patrick Joseph will be fit enough to be in contention for a place in the squad.
Froud said: “We know what we have to work on from the Hartley game and will look to put it right at Liphook.”
Hook and Newnham Basics began their campaign with a superb nine-wicket victory at Bournemouth. They will hope to make it two wins out of two when they open their home campaign with a visit from newly-promoted Rowledge, who enjoyed a winning return to Division One, beating Totton and Eling by five wickets.
Hook captain Matt Love said: “We know all about Rowledge. They have some good players who know how to win in this league. We are unchanged and I really hope we can start our home campaign with a win.”
In Hook’s game at Bournemouth, the home side and elected to bat, but they were soon in trouble. Hook opening bowlers Spencer Champ (3-30) and Shane Brewer (2-27) took out the top order as they reduced Bournemouth to 55-6. Spin twins Anik Divecha (2-17) and Kevin Poulter (1-22) took up the mantle, but some late resistance from Peter Smith (18) and top scorer Andrew Woodward (32) got the home side into three figures. Woodward’s innings was ended by Kieran Thomson’s first ball of season as Bournemouth were bowled out for 115 in the 36th over. To stand any chance of victory, the home side needed quick wickets, but this never happened.
Hook openers Ben Thane (64*) and Thomson (39) shared a first-wicket partnership of 104, with Thomson the only man out.
Thane’s excellent knock included eight fours and a six from 55 balls and Hook won in the 25th over.
Talking after the game, Hook captain Love said: “I was pleased to lose the toss. The bowlers wanted to bowl and batters wanted to bat. We played really hard from the first ball and took early wickets, from which they never recovered. Every member of the team played their part in what was a great win on the first day of the season.”
Basingstoke Gazette
The home side won what turned out to be a very intriguing contest with three overs to spare, but both sides will feel that they could have claimed victory.
Having lost the toss and been put into bat by the home side, Hartley scored 203-5, an innings built around fine knocks from Matt Kerr (70) and Aaron Wivell (72). Kerr and impressive Australian Wivell added 88 for the third wicket before Kerr was dismissed by a superb catch from Craig Williamson. Wivell then hit both Basingstoke spinners, Matt Thankachan and Dave Pistorius, over the boundary rope in consecutive overs. The return of medium pacer Mitchell Stokes proved to be the Aussie’s undoing as Williamson took a fine catch at mid-wicket to end his excellent 87-ball knock.
Basingstoke’s reply started briskly, but Tommy Flanders (2-27) and Chris Jolley (2-59) reduced the Bountymen to 47-4 in the 13th over. Williamson (17) and James (63) added 57 for the fifth wicket, before Williamson was bowled by Scott Baldwin (2-36). James hit successive sixes off Hartley skipper Jamie Teale and the home side seemed to be cruising to victory, but then two quick wickets and a run-out left them on 188-8. Ryan Connor and Graham Porter turned the tide with an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 19, Connor hitting the winning four.
Hartley skipper Teale remained upbeat despite the loss, but this week the village side face yet another tough game. They visit New Milton, who finished as runners-up last season. They will make one change. Opener Kerr is unavailable, so Danny Plume will come into the line-up.
Looking ahead to the game, Teale said: “I felt we put in a very good performance against Basingstoke, who will be one of the top sides in this league. We will now look forward to our trip to New Milton, who we beat last year in the T20. It should be an interesting game.”
Basingstoke captain Chris Froud felt his side did not execute their game plan against Hartley and is looking for a much better performance when they travel to Liphook & Ripsley. The Bountymen are hoping that all-rounder Patrick Joseph will be fit enough to be in contention for a place in the squad.
Froud said: “We know what we have to work on from the Hartley game and will look to put it right at Liphook.”
Hook and Newnham Basics began their campaign with a superb nine-wicket victory at Bournemouth. They will hope to make it two wins out of two when they open their home campaign with a visit from newly-promoted Rowledge, who enjoyed a winning return to Division One, beating Totton and Eling by five wickets.
Hook captain Matt Love said: “We know all about Rowledge. They have some good players who know how to win in this league. We are unchanged and I really hope we can start our home campaign with a win.”
In Hook’s game at Bournemouth, the home side and elected to bat, but they were soon in trouble. Hook opening bowlers Spencer Champ (3-30) and Shane Brewer (2-27) took out the top order as they reduced Bournemouth to 55-6. Spin twins Anik Divecha (2-17) and Kevin Poulter (1-22) took up the mantle, but some late resistance from Peter Smith (18) and top scorer Andrew Woodward (32) got the home side into three figures. Woodward’s innings was ended by Kieran Thomson’s first ball of season as Bournemouth were bowled out for 115 in the 36th over. To stand any chance of victory, the home side needed quick wickets, but this never happened.
Hook openers Ben Thane (64*) and Thomson (39) shared a first-wicket partnership of 104, with Thomson the only man out.
Thane’s excellent knock included eight fours and a six from 55 balls and Hook won in the 25th over.
Talking after the game, Hook captain Love said: “I was pleased to lose the toss. The bowlers wanted to bowl and batters wanted to bat. We played really hard from the first ball and took early wickets, from which they never recovered. Every member of the team played their part in what was a great win on the first day of the season.”
Basingstoke Gazette