BILLY'S MAIDEN TON IMPRESSES 'THE SAGE OF LONGPARISH

Billy Mead’s maiden century for Longparish not only sent Bishops Waltham crashing to their first Hampshire League, County Division 2 defeat of the season.
It also got the nod of approval from his next door neighbour, ‘the Sage of Longparish’, the renowned journalist and cricket writer, John Woodcock.
Mead, who plays for the Hampshire Under-15s, hit 14 fours in an unbeaten 114 to set up a thrilling one-run victory for Parish at the Albany Ground.
The teenager, pictured, added 78 for the second wicket with Will de Cani (30), but was principally responsible for Longparish making a slightly below-par 212-6 in 45 overs.
Chasing a seventh straight win, Waltham roared away, with Phil Baldock cracking 28 off 14 balls.
While Alex Wakely (64) remained at the crease, Waltham looked likely winners, but a three wicket spell by Ben Gardner (3-25) reduced the unbeaten leaders to 101-5.
But Hong Kong prospect Suhaib Ahmad (40) kept Bishops Waltham right in the game, but when Sam Trinder bowled a miserly seven overs for only 16 runs  the game was back on a knife edge.
Alex Coetzee bowled the final over with Bishops Waltham needing five to win with two wickets remaining, but he conceded only three to clinch a dramatic one-run win for Longparish.

Billy Mead in full flight. Chris de Cani.