Toby Albert and Harry Bradley hit centuries as the Hampshire Academy piled up a formidable 321-7 against relegation threatened ECB Southern Premier Division rivals Alton on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.
But the Brewers didn’t go down without a fight on one of the ground’s revolutionary hybrid surfaces, replying with 281-8 in a match which yielded 602 runs – and precious little joy for the respective sets of bowlers.
Ironically, the Academy lost a wicket to the first ball of the match when Wilf Fontaine-Jackson was trapped leg before by Bash Walters, who shortly after ran out Charlie Mumford.
But that was Alton’s last joy for a long while as Albert and Broderick each hit 13 boundaries in making 101 – the Berkshire batsman notching his second SPL century of the summer and taking his league aggregate to 399, nine runs behind Lymington’s Ximus Du Plooy.
Only Albert cleared the ropes – but James Barker did, with Tom South coming under fire as the Canford batsman hit five maximums in scoring 53 off 34 deliveries, 42 of his scoring shots crossing the line.
With Hook & Newnham Basics winning, Alton needed a garner as many bonus points as they could from the probable defeat and, to their credit, they notched eight, principally in making 281-8 in reply.
Abhay Gonella (40) and South (34) began well and set the platform for Michel Heffernan to make 58.  Brother Mark hit 30 and Jude Wright 27. 

​Its now or never for St Cross Symondians’ whose prospects of ending the season as ECB Southern Premier Division champions rest entirely on the outcome of their visit to South Wilts on Saturday, 11.30.
If they win on the western outskirts of Salisbury, they will wipe out the 13-point lead South Wilts currently enjoy at the top and split the title race wide open again.
But if St Cross are beaten, the championship trophy will almost certainly spend the winter months in a Wiltshire safe house, writes Mike Vimpany
Their Bemerton visit coincides with the final four-week return of ‘white ball’ 50-over matches – St Cross having completed their ‘red ball’ campaign on a winning note with a 42-run victory over Lymington at the Green Jackets.
St Cross had to contend with seaming and swinging deliveries of Matt Metcalfe (2-9 in ten overs) against Lymington and plunged to 23-3, Tom Foyle and debutant Ben Foster falling to the Southern Premier League’s leading wicket taker.
Ed Ellis (54) (pictured) tailored the St Cross rescue package, adding 51 with Michael Haworth (20) and Joe Lewis (19) before becoming a third victim for island-based Dan Cox (3-41) at 135-6.
St Cross were 147-8 when South African Michael Booth – arguably batting several places too low in the batting order – struck two sixes and four fours in a quick fire 37 which, with patience from former Lymington skipper Simon Beetham (17 not out), saw the Winchester side to 204-9, Ben Attrill (2-39) having been on the receiving end of Booth’s blast.
                                                                                      Controversial​
Lymington promptly collapsed to 17-4, with Terry Crabb (lying prostrate on the ground and out of his crease) controversially run out after an accidental collision with Booth, who was bowling at the time.  
Working up a lively pace, Booth (2-37) then bowled Ben Rogers and Cox, and with Ryan Scott caught off Beetham, Lymington were in dire straights.
Fortunately for Lymington, fellow South African Ximus du Plooy (87) steadied the ship as he put on 46 for the fifth wicket with Ben Attrill (11) and then 62 for the seventh with Josh Proctor (21). 
Lymington captain Matt Metcalfe (10) added another 29 for the eighth wicket, but the Pretoria-raised spin all-rounder was running out of partners and was last out attacking the St Cross bowlers, having hit 8 fours and 2 sixes. 
Jack Bransgrove (3-18) took three of the last four wickets before Michael Haworth (2-31) had De Plooy caught behind off a skier by Ellis as Lymington closed 162 all out.

South Wilts take a commanding 15-point lead into Saturday’s top of the table ECB Southern Premier Division showdown with St Cross Symondians at Bemerton (11.30), a match which is certain to have a significant bearing on the outcome of the championship.
It’s the return of ‘white ball’ cricket and if South Wilts can win as their Vice-presidents wine and dine in the Salisbury & South Wilts Sports Club lounge, they will take a massive step towards lifting the silverware for the first time since 2015.
At this stage and with four matches remaining, St Cross, champions in 2018, are probably South Wilts’ only realistic challengers for the championship.
Long term leaders Bournemouth are effectively out of the hunt after suffering a fifth defeat in six matches, while Bashley (Rydal) and the Hampshire Academy are well adrift.
Any faint hopes Havant had of featuring in the title stakes were snuffed as South Wilts skittled them for a paltry 71 inside 29 overs and went on to win by eight wickets.
Left-armer Ben Huntley (2-9), bowling from the town end of Havant Park, and Matt Burton (2-30) exploited the soft, bowler friendly surface to leave the eight-times champions rocking at 27-4.
They both bowled a full length, giving the ball a chance to swing and seam.
Richard Hindley, who made an unbeaten 20 and was the only Havant player to make double figures, showed the technique to deal with the situation while six partners came and went at the other end.
Jack Mynott (2-5) and Arthur Godsal (4-23) sent the last six Havant wickets tumbling for 26 runs and the hosts to 71 all out.
Mynott (28) and Tom Morton struck early boundaries as South Wilts chased down the target in 17 overs, James Hayward hitting 20 not out.

Hook & Newnham Basics are off the bottom of the ECB Southern Premier Division at last !
A 76-run win over Burridge, which coincided with Alton losing a high scoring affair to the Hampshire Academy, has lifted them four points above the Brewers going into the final four rounds of ‘white ball’ matches.
They skittled Burridge for a meagre 60, having been asked to defend 137 in a rain trimmed 45-over affair at the King George V ground.
It was Hook’s second consecutive win after beating Alton a week earlier, an elated skipper Josh Buckingham saying: “It’s an amazing feeling for our young group to win two on the bounce and gives  us good confidence going into the last four white ball games, starting at Bashley (Rydal) on Saturday.
“I believe 100 per cent we can survive. Every game is a cup final for us and we are going into games with that mindset.”
Hook had to work hard for their runs after Sully White (3-31) had Buckingham caught second ball, but Sam Lockwood (28) and Matt Buckingham (21) took the score to 84 before three wickets fell for one run.
Immediately after Buckingham was run out by Hilio De Abreu, Will Donald – who returned figures of 2-12 off his ten overs of spin – struck twice to leave Hook 85-5.
De Abreu (2-22) later reduced Hook to 99-8, but the home tail wagged effectively, with Max Simpson, Josh Balcombe and Anitek Divecha adding 45 critical runs.
Simpson, just back from representing the Midlands in the ECB Supa 4s Under-18 regional tournament at Loughborough, hit an unbeaten 20 as Hook’s score rose to 144 before Dan Stancliffe (2-24) finished the innings off.
But Simpson’s job was far from finished – and in seven devasating overs he and Jack Murrell (3-23) reduced Burridge to 29-5.  
With Richard Willcock (2-8) creating further inroads, Burridge sank to 37-8 before Oli Southon and Will Candy edged their way into double figures.  Burridge were bowled out for 60 inside 27 overs.
Josh Buckingham said: “I was quietly confident with 144 on the board. We knew that a couple of early wickets would make it a nervy chase and that is exactly what happened. 
“Jack Murrell and Max Simpson’s opening spells were outstanding and put Burridge under incredible pressure. 
“The support from Rich (Willcock) and Anik (Divecha) after them just made scoring so difficult and wickets continued to fall. A good combination of youth and experience. We will keep fighting to the end.”
* Hook & Newnham Basics face Rotherfield Park in the Guy Jewell T20 Cup semi-final at May's Bounty this (Monday) evening, 5.30pm.

Calmore Sports are though to next month’s National Village Championship final at Lord’s.
They crushed Stoke Green, from Buckinghamshire, by ten wickets in yesterday’s semi-final at Loperwood Park.
Spin bowlers Liam Carty (pictured) and Mark Lavelle took four wickets each as the Thames Valley League leaders, Stoke Green were dismissed for 117.
Ben Johns and Will Brewster each hit an unbeaten half-century as Calmore – after a two-hour stoppage for rain – cruised to victory with 15 overs to spare.
The final is at Lord’s on Sunday 19 September against either the Welsh side Neyland, from Pembrokshire, or Cheshire County League side Alvanley, who play their delayed semi-final in South Wales next weekend.
Full report + pictures to follow

ECB SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
RESULTS: ROUND 14 – 31 JULY 2021

ECB PREMIER DIVISION (50 overs)

Bournemouth 133-8 (N Park 53, Currie 3-24) Bashley (Rydal) 125-9 (target score 122 off 42 overs)(Porter 48, Andrew 20, Hurley 3-29). Bashley (Rydal) won by two wickets.

Hampshire Academy 321-7 (Albert 101, Broderick 101, Barker 53, Ballinger 3-43)  Alton 281-8 (Mike Heffernan 58, Gonella 40, South 34, Mark Heffernan 30*, Wright 27). Hampshire Academy won by 40 runs.

Havant 71 (Hindley 20*, Godsal 4-23) South Wilts 72-2 (Mynott 28, Hayward 20*). South Wilts won by eight wickets. 

Hook & Newnham Basics 144 (Lockwood 28, M Buckingham 21, Simpson 20, White 3-31) Burridge 60 (target score 137 off 45 overs) (Simpson 3-14, Murrell 3-22).  Hook & Newnham Basics won by 76 runs.

St Cross Symondians 204-9 (Ellis 54, Booth 37, Mike Haworth 20*, Cox 3-41) Lymington 162 (Du Plooy 87, Bransgrove 3-18). St Cross Symondians won by 42 runs.

DIVISION 1 (40 overs)

Andover 90 (Birks 26, A Duckworth 20, Watts 3-17, Greig 3-29) New Milton 91-5 (Watts 27*, Hall 25*). New Milton won by five wickets.

Portsmouth 174-6 (D Wallis 78*, J Marston 23) Basingstoke & North Hants 175-6 (Metzger 92*, Belcher 28, Nurse 25). Basingstoke & North Hants won by four wickets.

Calmore Sports 128-9 (West 30*, Johns 29, Baker 3-5, Lloyd 3-26) Rowledge 129-6 (Lloyd 30*, Littlewood 28*, Wright 3-12). Rowledge won by four wickets.

Sarisbury Athletic 148 (Lovett 39, Wright 30, J Hill 27, Cheater 5-39) Totton & Eling 152-4 (Clarke 60*, Bracey 26*, Morris 24). Totton & Eling won by six wickets.

Sparsholt 219-6 (Frith 49, Taylor 42, Sumner 40, Mitchard 33) St Cross Symondians II 123 (Laney 51, Frith 5-23). Sparsholt won by 96 runs.

DIVISION 2 (40 overs)

Waterlooville 62 (Read 3-12) Bashley (Rydal) II 63-4 (Jacques 34*). Bashley (Rydal) II won by six wickets.

Fair Oak 220-7 (Gwynn 89, Reed 48, Chandhoke 3-40) Paultons 89 (Ennew 33, Bracey 26*, Metcalfe 24). Fair Oak won by 131 runs.

Hartley Wintney 218-9 (Cockram 70, J Kerr 70, Munir 5-25) Fawley 151 (Ahmed 34, A Parratt 30, Ali 26, Darnell 3-31). Hartley Wintney won by 67 runs.

Liphook & Ripsley 226-9 (Munt 78, Ganguly 62, Rouse 42) South Wilts II 139 (Edwards 29, R Pittman 26, Partridge 20, Janczur 3-27). Liphook & Ripsley won by 87 runs.

Old Tauntonians & Romsey 177-9 (King 60, Tulk 59, Russell 5-45) Ventnor 178-6 (Alleyne 66*, Tulk 3-28). Ventnor won by four wickets.

DIVISION 3

Purbrook 199-8 (McCoy 116*, Harradine 36) Basingstoke & North Hants II 200-2 (Benge 73, Coombs 51*, Shelar 42*). Basingstoke & North Hants won by eight wickets.

Hambledon 190-8 (Moger 46, McGovern 31, Pratt 26, Glanfield 22, Morgan 3-48) Langley Manor 130 (Harris 44, Ponting 33, Harding 4-14, Glanfield 3-34). Hambledon won by 60 runs.

Hythe & Dibden 201-9 (Gates 49, Royan 42, Taylor 35) Gosport Borough 205-7 (L Harrop 77, Kitchin 37). Gosport Borough won by three wickets.

Trojans 112-8 (Boyd 29, Agha 22) Portsmouth & Southsea 113-2 (Briggs 50, Davies 36*). Portsmouth & Southsea won by eight wickets.

Tichborne Park 83-9 (Bristow 22, May 4-10, Gardner 3-16) Hook & Newnham Basics II 61-2 (target score 61 from 29 overs)(J Allnutt 31*). Hook & Newnham Basics II won by eight wickets.

Ventnor will propel themselves into one of the Southern Premier Division 2 promotion places if they can record a seventh win in eight outings against second placed Old Tauntonians & Romsey at Steephill this lunchtime, 12.30.
The islanders sit fourth in the log, but with only 11 points separating them from leaders Liphook & Ripsley (away at South Wilts II) , positions at the top can change very quickly.
Third placed Hartley Wintney make the trek to Southampton Waterside, where they will find Fawley in jubilant mood after last night's New Forest CA President's Cup final win over Bashley (Rydal).   Wayne Smith is lead oilman as the Earl brothers are absent at a society west country wedding.
An equally fascinating tussle is developing at the foot of the table, where Paultons, with only one win in ten, are becoming increasingly desperate and, with five matches left, are already 27 points adrift of the nearest safety rung.
Simon Ennew, Cameron Grierson and Josh Metcalfe all return at promotion outsiders Fair Oak, but Nathan Feltham and Tony Richman are still out.
Paultons: Simon Ennew, Lee Wateridge, Cameron Grierson, Paul Longland, Josh Metcalfe, Ben Rogers, Robert Pike, Darryn Stairs, Peter Lamb, Harmon Chadhoke, Andrew Denney
If Bashley (Rydal) can win, they will weaken Waterlooville's position in fourth from bottom spot - the Ville travelling to the New Forest without influential pair Sam Hillman and Alex Shephard.
Bashley (Rydal) II: Kennett, Tripcony, P Morris, Jacques, Achakzai, Parsons, S Morris, G Wilson, Crisp, Bracey, Read.
Waterlooville: Archie Reynolds, Tim Jackson, Sonny Reynolds, Dan Birch, Namish Verma, Jon Hudson, Sam Robinson, Ashan Silva, Charlie Jackson, Bob Hurt, Tom Seve. 
Hambledon are still 19 points ahead of the Southern Premier Division 3 pack despite losing their unbeaten record to Gosport Borough last week.
They host Langley Manor, who have dropped to fourth spot and probably out of the promotion picture since run machine Jack Budd was pinged.

Hambledon: Le Clerq, McGovern, Glanfield, G Marshall, Moger, J Marshall, Pratt, Oliver, Restell, Harding, Khan.
Hook & Newnham Basics II visit Tichborne Park, a club in terminal decline after eight straight losses.
Kieron Thomson returns from injury for the trip to Watership Down.
Hook: Light, Rizwan, T May, Thomson, Neville, James, Bruin, Watts, Shore, Gardner, O May.
Suited and booted, key Gosport Borough pair Jacob Harris and Jack Richards are off to Glorious Goodwood in preference to visiting relegation troubled Hythe & Dibden, while Purbrook chase a third successive win against inconsistent Basingstoke & North Hants II at May's Bounty.
Portsmouth & Southsea, with a testing run-in to come, host Trojans at St James's Park.

​It’s unquestionably Calmore Sports’ most important weekend of the season so far – and they’ve had a fair few of those already !
Today, vital league points are at stake when they travel to Rowledge in their quest for the Southern Premier Division 1 championship.  Twenty-four hours later, it’s the semi-finals of the Voneus Village Championship – the prize for victory over Buckinghamshire’s Stoke Green a September trip to Lord’s.
“The club is buzzing, as you’d expect. Everyone’s up for it, but we must put the Village Cup to one side today as we need to win at Rowledge to keep our promotion challenge going,” warns skipper Mark Lavelle.
“We’re four points adrift of Totton & Eling (who visit Sarisbury Athletic) in second place, so we’ll need to be at it from the start against Rowledge, who are a useful young side.”
Ben Fisher, ineligible for the Ville Cup because when he played for Oxford University in the 2020 Varsity Match it enjoyed First Class status, is back in the Calmore side at Rowledge.
Calmore Sports - Johns, Brewster, Taylor, Johnson, Manning, Lavelle, Bailey, Fisher, West, Wright, Carty.
Third placed New Milton go to Andover – but will Ryan Beck go with them after being married only yesterday ? 
Andover lie only two points ahead of Sarisbury Athletic, while St Cross Symondians II – away at Sparsholt - are last.   
Andover: Hooper, Knight, Treagus, Duckworth, Duckworth, Ashman, Birks, Smith, Ayers, Veettil, Adams.
Sarisbury Athletic: J Hill, Rawlins, Smith, Lovett, Sanders, S Hill, Franklin, Wright, Jewell, Orr, Bolton.
Denied by the wet weather which washed out last Saturday’s match at Basingstoke, Jeremy Frith should get the chance to slip a Sparsholt shirt on for the first time since September 2019 at Locks Lane.
The lead Division 1 all-rounder has been marooned in Guernsey since then and has been restricted to playing his cricket in the Channel Islands.
Sparsholt Banks, Sumner, Mitchard, Doran, Taylor, May, Banks-Williams, Ley,Weir, Collison, Frith. 

Basingstoke & North Hants skipper Dan Belcher reckons Julian Wood’s appointment as coach has had been a major factor in the club’s Southern Premier Division 1 season being turned on its head.
After losing their opening three matches, Basingstoke – who were relegated from the ECB Premier Division at the end of 2019 – feared a second consecutive demotion with the prospects of third tier cricket looming if things didn’t improve.
But an astonishing turn around has seen Basingstoke win their last six matches and climb into fourth place and on to the fringe of the promotion race.
“We’re benefitting from the proper structure Julian’s put in place. He’s a renowned world class coach and he’s already taken us to a new level, pushing us harder and harder.
“Julian hasn’t come in and tried to take over, but has upped our levels of intensity. This has allowed the group to enjoy the training and matches and instil an important sense of belief.
“We’ve arguably been complacent in the past, but now we’re training twice a week. A serious session on Wednesday evenings followed by pre-match nets on Fridays.
“Everyone has bought into it and we’re virtually putting out the same side every Saturday which is fantastic.”
George Metzger’s return to May’s Bounty after a short spell at Havant has been another boost, although the former Hampshire Academy prospect hasn’t had much of an opportunity to aid the cause, just yet.
“We’ve got a good squad of young players, with 19-year old Tyler Bradley topping the Division 1 wicket taking list, Joe Oates batting well and the Neal brothers, Ash and Ben performing well,” Belcher added.
“What I’ve tried to do is to get some fun back, enjoy each other’s company, but also to install responsibility into the players and its been paying off.”
With five matches remaining, Basingstoke are effectively 20 points adrift of leaders Totton & Eling, with (on paper) a pretty favourable run-in.
“Totton’s last two games are against Calmore Sports and New Milton, so its going to go to the wire. We have to win every game – starting at Portsmouth on Saturday – so that will concentrate everyone’s minds, I’m sure,” he concluded.
Basingstoke & North Hants have appointed Julian Wood as head coach on a three-year deal, which they hope will be the stepping-stone to the May’s Bounty club re-establishing itself as one of the county’s leading sides.

Four points separate Hook & Newnham Basics and Alton at the ECB Southern Premier Division basement ahead of the final round of ‘red ball’ maTch.
Hook, who beat the Brewers by 66 runs last week, welcome back Matts Buckingham and Love ahead of the home match with Burridge, who have beaten Bashley (Rydal) and Bournemouth in the past fortnight.
Hook & Newnham Basics: J Buckingham, Lockwood, Warner, M Buckingham, Robson, Love, Willcock, Murrell, Divecha, Balcombe, Simpson.
Burridge: Joe Collings-Wells, Shu Chowdhury, James Hughes, Hilio De Abreu, Chris Blake, Will Donald, Daniel Stancliffe, Oliver Southon, Will Candy, Sullivan White, Francis Moore.
It’s a big weekend for Alton, who play the Hampshire Academy on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground tomorrow and host the ECB T20 Vitality Club regional finals at the Jubilee Ground on Sunday, 10am.
Promising Alton pace bowler Zac Gadsby, who has been playing for Hampshire’s junior age group sides, gets an opportunity … against his own club team !
Academy: Albert, Mumford, Jackson, Eckland, Barker, Kelly, Broderick, Whitfield, Trodd, Croom, Gadsby, Catherwood.
Alton: Gonella, South, Mark Heffernan, Harris, S Myers, Eggleston, Wright, Mike Heffernan, Walters, J Myers, Ballinger.

South Wilts are boosted by the return of skipper Ben Draper and opener Tom Morton as they bid to defend their 14-point lead at the top of the ECB Southern Premier Division at fourth placed Havant, 11.30.
The pair missed last week’s six-wicket win over the Hampshire Academy, so Morton will open alongside Jack Mynott and Draper replace second team gloveman Sam Pittman, who picked up five victims in that Young Hawks win.
Lead wicketkeeper Matt Burton, Draper, Arthur Godsal and Mynott are in Wiltshire’s National Counties Championship side to play Oxfordshire at Bemerton on Sunday.
Tom Lewis is added as an additional spin option, while Havant – still lurking dangerously 18 points behind – send Ben Walker to the second team match at Alton, but have Harry Gadd back after covid self-isolation.
Havant: Pete Hopson, Harry Gadd, Simon Loat, Chris Morgan, Richard Hindley, Jez Bulled, Oli Perkins, Alf Taw, Freddie Gadd, Richard Jerry, Julian Atkins.
South Wilts: Morton, Mynott, Rowe, Hayward, Draper, Hussey, Godsal, Huntley, Grant, Lewis, Burton.
Bournemouth, still second despite losing three of their last four matches, field an unchanged side against Bashley (Rydal) at Chapel Gate.
Chris Park is desperate for his side to start scoring some meaningful runs against an unannounced Bashley side anxious to avenge a nine-wicket mauling at the BCG in late May.  Micahel Porter and Harry Fisher are expected back for the Bash, but 15-yerar old leg spinner Ethan Baker is resting ahead of next week's ECB Bunbury Festival at Loughborough University.
Bournemouth: C Park, Webb, N Park, Woodruff, Shrubsole, Matthews, Pack, Hurley, Denham, Conway, Breckon.
St Cross Symondians, minus Tom or Harry Foyle, gave a Premier debut to Hampshire U16 batsman Ben Foster against Lymington at the Green Jackets ground.
Matt Metcalfe and Terry Crabb return for Lymington after helping the New Forest club’s second team to an important Hampshire League win at Easton & Martyr Worthy last weekend
St Cross Symondians: Ellis, Haworth, Bransgrove, Lewis, Booth, Woolvine, Braans, Foyle, Trussler, Foster, Beetham. 
Lymington: Metcalfe, Mortimore, Crabb, Rogers, Scott, Du Plooy, Cox, Royan, Attrill, Proctor, Wade.

Hampshire has a fine record in Seniors’ cricket, with the 70s team being crowned national champions in both 2016 and 2017, and several players of that era being capped by England Golden Oldies for ‘Ashes’ series against Australia, home and away.
Now there is a realistic chance that this summer will be the last season when the 70’s team are able to participate in the National 70+ County Cricket Championship. 
Manager/captain Peter Green explains: “Player numbers have dwindled dramatically over the past two seasons with Father Time catching up with some of our stalwarts. 
“This season, with a small squad of 15 players and minimal recruitment, Hampshire 70’s have been presented with significant problems in turning out competitive teams. 
“Counties such as Surrey, Sussex and Kent manage to put out three sides and all have nearly 40 players registered as eligible to play – so we should certainly be able to field one team !” 
Seniors enjoy playing at some excellent grounds. This year’s venues have included Sidmouth on the sea front, the former county grounds at Horsham and Maidstone and beautiful settings such as the North Perrott ground in Somerset. 
                                                                                             Adjacent
There are currently 21 counties involved in the Championship and fixtures are organised so that teams play seven of their most adjacent counties on a home and away basis before the top eight enter into a play-off and the remainder a subsidiary competition. 
Fixtures last from May until September and are played on a Thursday. Matches are either 40 or 45 overs and 12 players are always available to field so that those who need it can have a rest period!  Qualified panel umpires and efficient scorers and rotate our home games around local clubs that kindly make themselves available.
Mr Green added: “There may, of course, be a view that county cricket is rather elite and that regular club players participating in the lower county leagues are not up to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. 
“Anyone playing at club level regularly would be welcome. New players this year include Mike Brogan of Sarisbury Athletic, whose views are worthy of consideration:
“I was asked if I would consider playing by a former 70’s player. My first reaction was that I wouldn’t be up to it, that I was not of a good enough standard. Although filled with trepidation when asked to play my first game, I was made extremely welcome and was able to relax into my bowling. Despite the fact that wins have been few and far between, I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
“There is a great sense of camaraderie between teams with matches played in a competitive spirit. “We are not mobile and fast-paced athletes so do not feel you will be the odd-one-out of it takes a big effort to touch your toes. 
                                                                                        Tremendous
“Having said all that, we play to win – it is a national competition after all - and the enjoyment comes from being competitive and playing well,” he added. 
Many Southern Premier League clubs have teams playing in lower divisions of the Hampshire League. 
If you know someone who fits the bill for us, please get in touch or ask them to do so. Teams are allowed one 68-year-old, and anyone 69 or over on the day of a game can be registered to play. 
It would be a tremendous shame if 70’s County cricket had to come to a grinding halt or we had to put out teams that were not competitive. 
Nets, all being well, take place from early February so there is plenty of time to get ready for the season and get to know each other before the season starts. 
Anyone who would like to have a chat about playing for Hampshire 70s next season please contact Peter Green (07793 892 571) or Peter Tapper (07772 297 312).

Alton are hosting the ECB Vitality Club T20 south-east regional finals at the Jubilee Ground on Sunday and face Sussex champions Eastbourne in the opening semi-final tie at 10 o'clock.
Reigate Priory play Tunbridge Wells in the second semi-final (1pm), with the two winners playing in the area final at 4pm.
Alton: ​Harris, Michael Heffernan, South, S Myers, Wright, Gonella, Mark Heffernan, Walters, T Salmon, M Salmon, J Myers.

Bashley (Rydal) face Fawley in the New Forest CCA President's Cup final at the BCG on Friday evening, 5.45pm.
Fawley beat Bashley by five wickets in a Southern Premier Division 2 relegation battle two weeks ago, but Sean Read will head up a mix of first and second team players tomorrow night.
Bashley (Rydal): Andrew, Bracey, Francis, Franklin, Gordon, McMurray, Morris, Mulley, Read, Stroud, G Wilson.

Hambledon’s 100 per cent leadership of Southern Premier Division 3 is over after a five-wicket defeat by Gosport Borough at Privett Park
They still lead the field by 19 points but, promoted from the Hampshire League in 2019, Borough are now only two points adrift of second-placed Hook & Newnham Basics II with both those sides having won six of their eight completed matches.
Hambledon skipper Spencer Le Clerq soon lost opening partner Dan McGovern (2), but the in-form Henry Glanfield (46) helped his captain add 86 for the second wicket before he was dismissed by the spin of Goodwood-bound Jack Richards (4-22).
The Cardiff University student immediately removed Chris Pratt (0) and Hambledon had lost three wickets for one run when Le Clercq (32) was caught off the bowling of Charlie Pennicott. Another collapse saw the table-toppers fall from 106-4 to 110-8 before closing on 145-9.
McGovern (2-42) was central when Gosport were reduced to 59-4, but any nerves were settled by a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket between Charlie Creal (31) and Emma’s backed Jacob Harris, who underlined the significance of match PPP.
Former Royal Navy batsman Mark Toogood (18 not out) then helped Harris (37 not out) add an unbroken 37 for the sixth wicket as the hosts won in the 34th over.

Loperwood Park bound Stoke Green reached the semi-finals of Voneus Village Cup for the first time in their history after completing a five-wicket victory over Foxton in the last eight.
Alex Hooley scored a half-century to help Cambridgeshire winners Foxton post a strong score of 192-8.  But the Cambridgeshire hosts had no answer for Saqlain Basharat (59) and Stoke Green skipper Pavinder Bhachu (63), who shared a 101-run fifth-wicket stand to help their side secure the win with 37 balls to spare.
Based on the outskirts of Slough, Stoke Green are the current leaders of the Thames Valley League, having won seven and lost twice this season.  
In the other semi-final, Pembrokeshire side Neyland host hot favourites Houghton Main, from Yorkshire, who won the trophy in 2006 and were beaten finalists in 2019.
It’s free entry to Calmore’s semi-final tie on Sunday, 1300.  There will be ample car parking inside Loperwood Park, where refreshments will be on tap throughout the day.

Former Havant and Hampshire Academy all-rounder Andy Gorvin his currently cutting his teeth with Glamorgan in the Royal London 50-over Cup competition.
The 24-year old, who recently graduated from Cardiff University, hails from Hayling Island and captained Portsmouth Grammar School during his period at Havant.   He is currently captaining St Fagan's, the ECB South Wales Premier League champions and 2021 leaders.
Gorvin, who has been playing for Wales MC in the National Counties Championship, made his RLC debut against Northants and earlier today was Glamorgan's tidiest bowler with figures of 0-27 off seven overs, having caught opener Stephen Davies early on. 
He later found himself at the crease with Glamorgan needing a six off the last ball of the game from left-arm spinner Goldsworthy to win the game and came close with a powerful four over the bowler's head.  He finished with 12 not out as Somerset won by one run.

Portsmouth & Southsea moved up to fourth place in Southern Premier Division 3 with Jack Davies hitting an unbeaten half-century in the win against Basingstoke & North Hants seconds.
After bowling their opponents out for 158, Davies and Chris Bollom (45) put on 74 for the third wicket as the hosts romped to a seven-wicket win with almost nine overs in hand.
Davies (pictured) hit nine fours and a six in compiling an undefeated 54 off 50 deliveries.
Opener Shaun Briggs had been almost as aggressive, hitting five fours and two sixes in scoring 39 off 44 balls as P & S won for the fifth time in seven completed matches.
Teenager Josh Coombs (55) had earlier taken Basingstoke to 83-1, but Kieron Dunstan (3-32) and Matt Williams (3-34) pegged them back.
Coombs was eventually eighth out at 149, with the innings ending nine runs later.
P & S are ten points off a promotion slot, but finish their campaign with matches against Hook & Newnham Basics II, Gosport Borough and Langley Manor.  A tough finale.
Langley Manor, minus the isolating Jack Budd, lost by 36 runs to Trojans, whose 130-9 included Syed Mahmood’s 44.  Nick Doubell took 3-28 before the Manor rolled over for 94, Elliott Pointing was the brains behind the batting, hitting an educated 27 not out.

Purbrook’s top score during their innings against fellow strugglers Tichborne Park was 30 extras.
But they still collected a second consecutive Southern Premier Division 3 victory - after starting the season with six straight losses - to move out of the two-team relegation zone.
Martin Lee, the previous week’s centurion against Hythe & Dibden, top scored with the bat (21) as Purbrook progressed to 43-1. A clatter of wickets saw them crumble to 75-8 before Aaron Dean (22 not out) and James Gurney (13) helped add 45 for the last two wickets.
Park’s reply followed a similar pattern. They had reached 49-1 (George Ayling 27) in reply, only to see six wickets crash for 17 runs to Dean (3-9 off eight overs) and Lee (3-13).
Kieron Connell (14) and Matt Bristow (12) added 28 for the eighth wicket before the latter was dismissed by Josh McCoy (3-29).
Tichborne Park, who haven’t won since beating Trojans on the opening day of the season, were dismissed for 94 in the 32nd over.
Second-from-bottom Hythe & Dibden have also only one once and lie one point below Purbrook. They were washed out against Basingstoke & North Hants II, having made 48-2 when the rains came in the 12th over.

Steve Riddle picked up a bat for the first time in 11 months to hit an unbeaten half-century and steer South Wilts seconds to a four-wicket win over Paultons – and almost certain safety in Southern Premier Division 2.
The Bemerton side had been struggling in the lower reaches of the table until recently, but now lie sixth and well clear of Fawley and Paultons, who currently occupy the last two relegation positions.
In a match reduced to 30 overs because of rain, Paultons posted 146-5 with Lee Wateridge (43 and Rob Pike (42) top scoring against twin duo Rob Pittman (3-36) and James Brewer (2-36).
South Wilts reached 42-1 before losing Joe Cranch and George Edwards (20) in quick succession, but Riddle used his experience and almost doubled the score in partnership with Tom Pearce before talented teen Ben Howgrave-Graham (26) arrived at the crease to belt two sixes and two fours and lift the total to 124 before he was trapped leg before wicket.
Riddle took control after that, watching on as Pittman hit two more boundaries, before bringing up his half century with the winning hit.  He struck a six and seven fours in his match winning 51 not out.

Hartley Wintney surrendered top spot in Southern Premier Division 2 after suffering a 55-run defeat by promotion outsiders Fair Oak in a rain trimmed affair on the Cricket Green – but only a handful of bonus points separate the top four.
Anthony Parson (4-44) dismissed both Oaks openers, but the middle order scored consistently, and quickly, to put the visitors in the driving seat.  
Sam Reed (30) and Charlie Gwynn (35) took Fair Oak to 158-3, providing the platform for Max Watson (left) to cut loose.  He smacked 60 in 37 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes in the process.
Watson’s dismissal triggered a collapse which saw Fai Oak lost four wickets for three runs, but Rhys Oxley blasted 53 off 39 balls, including five sixes.
Roy Cockram, Rob Cootes and Mark Teale took two wickets each for Hartley Wintney as Oaks were bowled out for 260 in the final over of their 40-over allocation.
A shower during the first innings reduced Hartley Wintney’s victory target to 233 in 33 overs, but Ben Smith’s spell of 3-27 put Oaks in the driving seat.  Left-arm spinner Gwynn, always a threat with the ball, grabbed three more wickets for 33 as the home side declined to 80 for 7.
A stand of 88 between Parson (43) and Cootes (37) gave the hosts a measure of respectability, but Monty McKenzie’s 2 for 28 sealed Fair Oak’s victory with the home side all out for 177 in the 31st over.
Hartley Wintney have dropped to third place, with Liphook & Ripsley leapfrogging to the summit with a four-wicket win over Waterlooville at Rowlands Avenue.
Joe Randall ran through Waterlooville’s top order, the former Rowledge seamer returning career best SPL figures of 5-21 as Ville were shot out for 93.
Randall removed the whole of the Ville top five - with Alex Shephard, Tim Jackson and Daniel Birch all failing to score. Sonny Reynolds was out for five and Ville were a sorry 22-5 when skipper Archie Reynolds was clean bowled for 11.
Namish Verma (25) and Sam Robinson (19 not out) restored some pride before Ryan Covey (3-7) mopped up the tail.
Covey (31) and Rob Nicklin (20) put on 49 for Liphook’s first wicket before Sam Hillman (2-26) removed both. Liphook endured a slight hiccup, when 80-3 became 83-6, but won in the 32nd over to replace Hartley Wintney in top spot.
Old Tauntonians & Romsey skipper Charlie King was probably relieved OTs’ match against relegation strugglers Fawley was rained off after 29 overs – the Waterside club having struck a demanding 180-6 with Hampshire Collegiate schooled Brendan Streather blazing 70 off 48 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries. Usman Ali had made 54.
A flooded outfield prevented any play between Bashley (Rydal) II and Ventnor.

Bournemouth left-arm spinner Rob Park returned career-best match figures of 9-82 as Dorset beat National Counties Championship neighbours Wiltshire by eight wickets at Wimborne.
He took 6-38 in the first innings and 3-44 in the second, with Bashley (Rydal) left-armer Ben Fletcher (who took seven wickets in his Dorset debut in Cheshire) taking 2-46 and 3-44.
Former Hampshire 2nd XI batsman Oli Soames made scores of 55 and a match winning 91 not out in the second innings. Bashley spin all-rounder Josh Digby hit 39 and 31.
Next Sunday, Dorset begin a three-day match against defending champions Berkshire at Finchampstead, while Wiltshire entertain Oxfordshire at South Wilts.  Both matches start at 11 o'clock.  

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​​Hook & Newnham Basics’ relegation escape act is under way !
A convincing 66-run win over fellow strugglers Alton has cut the gap between the pair at the foot of the ECB Southern Premier Division table to a mere four points.
With five rounds of matches remaining, every point is now going to be vital, starting on Saturday when Hook host enigmatic Burridge and the Brewers head to the Ageas Bowl to face the Hampshire Academy.
Remaining fixtures:
Alton: Hampshire Academy (a), Havant (h), St Cross Symondians (a), South Wilts (h), Lymington (a).
Hook & Newnham Basics: Burridge (h), Bashley (Rydal)(a), Bournemouth (h), Lymington (a), Hampshire Academy (h).

​Hook successfully defended 165 before bowling Alton out for 99 in a weather trimmed 30-over affair at the Jubilee Ground.
Their competitive score, made at just under a run a ball, owed much to Jack Murrell (30), who rescued Hook after three wickets had fallen at 120 and the earlier efforts Jordan Hobday (25), Harry Robson (24) an several other middle-order batsmen in danger of going to waste.
The former Paultons all-rounder smacked two sixes and three boundaries before Tom South (4-23) mopped up the tail. It left Alton a testing 5.5 runs an over chase.
South (32) had Alton comfortably placed at 62-1 – but through some undistinguished batting, the Brewers collapsed in an amazing heap after that, with nine wickets falling for 37 runs !
Daniel Moore (3-15) triggered Alton’s downfall by having Anhay Gonella (14) caught by Harry Robson.  South fell immediately after hitting a full-toss down square leg's throats.   Soon after Scott Myers holed out on the boundary.
Aniket Divecha (3-26), Moore and latterly Richard Willcock (2-3) worked their way through the Alton batting, the last six wickets tumbling for 13 runs and the Brewers to 99 all out.

Hampshire Seniors lost their unbeaten record - and the potential of finishing top of the ECB 50-plus County Championship south-west group - when Dorset beat them by 33 runs at Calmore Sports' Loperwood Park this afternoon, 
Dorset took a grip on proceedings through a century opening stand between Mike Harper (72) and Steve Gerrety (65). New Milton's Nic Gargaro took 5-43 as Hampshire were pleased to restrict their visitors to 188-8.
Nonetheless, the target proved far too many for Hampshire, who dipped to 82-6 (Andy Parratt 31) before evergreen Gosport Borough ace John Adams (34) and Matt Thankachan (25) rallied to raise the final score to 155 all out.
Hampshire did, however, win their latest Sixties Championship group match, with Geoff Beale (57) and Neill Sutherland (59) hitting unbeaten half-centuries as they chased down Berkshire's 207-5 (Chris Garrod 81) to win by seven wickets.  Earlier, Neil Trestrail (38) and Andy Steggall (22) provided a sound start.​

​Totton & Eling have regained the Southern Premier Division 1 leadership from near neighbours Calmore Sports after a five-wicket win over Portsmouth at St Helen’s, Southsea.
The match turned dramatically in mid-afternoon when Portsmouth crashed from 117-2 to 147 all out – eight wickets falling for 30 runs, four of them to teenage left-arm spinner Toby Green (4-31).
The city side was going nicely through Ben Duggan (54) and Jack Marston (33), but fell apart at the sight of spin.
Brighton Mugochi (2-24) triggered the collapse by dismissing Marston and Joe Kooner-Evans inside three balls.
Almost immediately, Green had Duggan stumped by Oli Thomas and Portsmouth fell apart.
A half-century by Harrison Clarke (52) underpinned Totton’s run chase, the opener sharing a key partnership with Owen Morris (40) as the visitors cruised home.
Overnight leaders Calmore Sports had their scheduled home match with Sarisbury Athletic washed out by heavy overnight rain, which also claimed Andover v Rowledge and the long awaited return of Jeremy Frith to Sparsholt, whose visit to Basingstoke & North Hants was also cancelled in mid-afternoon. But he did pick up some handy air miles ...
South African spin all-rounder Harlan Greig took 5-16 and George Watts 3-8 as New Milton maintained their promotion push with a six-wicket win over St Cross Symondians II, who are anchored to the foot of the table.
Watts broke the ice by trapping Steve Hirst leg before, after which Greig, from the powerful Claremont club in Cape Town, took five wickets from one end to leave St Cross reeling at 42-6.  Dylan Clarke hit an unbeaten 37 late on to lift their total to 92 all out.
Greig didn't last long with the bat as NM wobbled at 10-2, but bridegroom-to-be Ryan Beck made an unbeaten 37 and Toby Edwards flayed a quick-fire 34 (three sixes) to eased the Green & Golds home.