​It probably cost them the proverbial arm and a leg in ferry fares and took only 55 overs to complete, but Hook & Newnham Basics returned from their day out on the Isle of Wight with a seven-point lead over Parley at the top of County Division 1 still intact.
It was just as well they took maximum points after shooting Ryde out for 73 (Ashley Goldsmith 25) and winning by eight wickets, because Parley inflicted a 90-run defeat on Old Tauntonians & Romsey II to remain close at hand.
The evergreen Colin Lye took 4-7 as Ryde, already relegated, collapsed. Harry Warner’s unbeaten 34 took Hook home and on an early ferry home.
Dorset U17 prospect Luke Neil (57) hit his maiden HCL fifty as Parley posted a towering 287-9 at the Romsey Sports Centre, where Roshan Embalagama (45), Jack Rowatt (25), Shane Green (36) and Alex Nippard (35) kept the scorers busy.
Nico Newman (64) and Steve Smith (45) were the only OTR batsmen to respond as Nippard completed a fine match with a 4-25 return.
Gosport Borough remain third after a six-wicket haul by teenager Oli Creal (6-22) and Lee Harrop’s 57 not out sealed a victory at Andover.
Sway hit the buffers, suffering four successive defeats after six straight wins had them in nosebleed top-of-the-table nosebleed territory.
But they are up and running again on the back of a 4-12 new ball spell by Dave Steadman, which knocked the stuffing out of Hursley Park, whose modest 144 was easily overhauled. Twin Dan Bailey made 30 in Sway’s six-wicket win.
Exeter University student Jimmy Hawkings was the hero of Ropley’s tense one-wicket win over near neighbours Alton II, taking 4-38 and then hitting a key 41 as the village team narrowly chased down the visitors 155 all out.
Promising Hampshire Seventies’ left-armer Jim Smallbone took 5-47 but was unable to prevent Ben Ungaretti (72) and Nick Willcock (71) from sharing a 131-run partnership, which saw Old Basing to 228-7.
Euan Rixson and Nick Cooper shared six of the wickets as Havant fell well short at 163-8.
Dan Bearpack hit 64 not out as Longparish trimmed Shrewton (137), while St Cross Symondians III enjoyed a comfortable five-wicket win over Bedhampton.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Charlie Gwynn was the star turn as Wickham thrashed Bevois Community by eight wickets to win the Winchester & District CA Tichborne Trophy at Hursley Park.
The left-arm spin all-rounder put the exhaustion of his fresher year at Oxford Brookes behind him to take 4-14 as Bevois were dismissed for 106 (Khan 35) and then hit an unbeaten 41 as Wickham cruised home with ease.  Cousin Pete Gwynn kept things in the family by scoring 25, while Alex Reidy earlier took 3-27.

In recognition of Wickham's feat and Charlie's heroics, Winchester City Council has named one of its new village developments, Gwynn Way.

​

The Hampshire League doesn’t have a Young Cricketer award, as such, but if they did there’s little doubt Jacob Harris would be at the top of the list.
The 18-year old Gosport Borough all-rounder celebrated his third century of the season with an undefeated 126 against Havant II – a result which keeps the Turk Town boys still clinging on to Parley’s tails, nine points behind going into a critical third v fourth affair at Andover.
Harris’s 126 included three sixes and 14 fours and underpinned Gosport’s 262-5 against Havant, whose 225 was topped up by Ben Turk (57) and Andy Ruston (44).
The teenager’s previous hundreds this season came with an unbeaten 137 against Ryde and 100 off the Easton & Martyr Worthy.
If Gosport don’t manage to grab a promotion ticket back to the Southern Premier League, Harris can expect a posse of local clubs banging on his door during the long winter months.

Parley came under fire from team manager Keith Clarke after twice allowing Andover II off the hook before suffering a 13-run defeat which could have serious implications on their quest to win Hampshire League County Division 1.
It left Parley eight points adrift of new leaders Hook & Newnham Basics II, who trimmed visiting Burridge II by 42 runs at the KGV.
Parley hardly expected to be drowning their sorrows after Ollie Green (3-8) and Jack Rowett (2-33) reduced promotion outsiders Andover to 32-5 in over 16 and later 107-7.
“Perhaps thinking the remaining wickets would just happen, the intensity dropped and with 38 extras and a decent rearguard they did not materialise,” moaned Clarke. “Complacency, laissez-faire and a lack of determination was all too evident.”
Rory Case, on debut, was Andover’s hero, hitting 69 and adding a vital 70 with Rowan Duckworth as Andover recovered to post a competitive 203 all out.
Sam Collins (above)(48) swept Parley to 40 off six overs and on to 98-1 – only for the next nine wickets to fall for 95 runs, Duckworth and Max Souter sharing six wickets.
“Too many had starts but provided catching practice (there were 9) to the opposition,” Clarke grumbled. “Even at 162-5 with 17 overs remaining, the required 42 runs should have been achievable. A prime example of thinking others will do it if I don’t – but they didn’t. Anyone for self-examination?
“With four games to go an immediate reverse of fortune is required at OTs & Romsey. We are better than this result and need to show that is the case. That responsibility rests with both the team and the individual !”
Hook & Newnham seconds took full advantage, with Harry Warner’s 84 the stand-out player as Kevin Light’s Army ran up 219 (Alex Brown 35) before Josh Balcombe (3-31), Shane Brewer, Will Gardner and the inspirational Light shared the spoils with the ball.   Burridge were dismissed for 177.
So what’s left for the two title contenders ?
Hook & Newnham Basics face a stormy trip to relegation threatened Ryde before taking on Bedhampton (home), Longparish (away) before Ropley visit the KGV on the final day of the season.
Parley go to OTs & Romsey, host Alton II, host relegated Shrewton and finish off with a tricky visit to unpredictable St Cross Symondians III.
There’s everything to play for …

A chip off the old block and certainly following in his father’s footsteps.
That’s Louis Prichard, 13-year old son of former Essex captain Paul Prichard, who bowled Bashley (Rydal) thirds to a key 39-run victory over Locks Heath with an astonishing 6-22 return off 7.5 overs.
The win lifted Bashley to the top of Hampshire League County Division 3 South, above Shanklin, who crashed to a five-wicket home defeat by Calmore Sports.
Bashley, rocking at 36-6 after Sam Gardner (4-14) took four wickets in four balls, recovered to reach and successfully defend 151, Sam Scott (41), Dan Hart (35) and Chris Gates (17) coming to the rescue.
Second in the table overnight, Locks Heath made a steady start, but were spun to defeat by young Prichard, who had all six of his victims caught before the hosts collapsed to 112 all out.
Not surprisingly, junior Prichard’s progress is already being monitored by Hampshire’s junior age group coaches.

Parley take a five-point lead over Hook & Newnham Basics II into tomorrow’s twelfth round of Hampshire League matches.
But both clubs will have a close eye on the outcome of Hursley Park’s showdown with Gosport Borough at The Quarters.
Runners-up last season, Parley have 195 points and Hook 190.
Hursley Park (183) and Gosport (effectively 185) are the other two clubs in the promotion mix, with tomorrow’s losers potentially having a lot of ground to make up in the run-in.
Hursley’s prospects took a knock with an eight-wicket defeat by Parley, who knocked off 242-8 (Tom Flynn 66) to win by eight wickets.
In-form Jack Rowatt (64), Roshan Embalagama (56 not out) and the inspirational Alex Nippard, with 75 after taking 4-40, did the damage.
Injuries continue to haunt Parley, however, as just as opener Sam Collins returned from a broken finger so Jamie Hicks ended up in A & E after being hit in the face - off the very first ball of the game !    Fortunately, he is okay.
There’s plenty to cheer about at Hook & Newnham Basics these days, with Josh Buckingham’s first team hot favourites for the Premier Division 1 title and Kevin Light’s troops tailing Parley in the County 1 championship stakes.
Hook made short work of St Cross Symondians III, bowling the Winchester side out for 125 and easing to a six-wicket win.
Gosport’s match with Sway was a victim of heavy overnight rain, while Havant seconds enjoyed a 318-6 run fest at the expense of Ropley.
Julian Atkins (88), Pete Hayward (56) and Steve Matthews (42 not out) filled their boots before Hampshire Over-70s prospect Jim Smallbone got into the groove with a 4-37 return which led to Ropley being dismissed for 196.
Just one run separated Shrewton’s 299 from a 298 Burridge response – only a second win of the season for the Salisbury Plain club, who lie bottom of the table.
Seven runs separated Alton’s 178 from Ryde’s 171 – Michael Heffernan (50) and Abeed Janmohamad (42) top scoring for the Brewers.
Andover II, with 266-8 (Max Souter 60) came out on top in the Test Valley derby with Longparish (227), while Bedhampton gleaned precious relegation win points from an eight-wicket win at OTs & Romsey.
Easton & Martyr Worthy edged out Old Basing by one wicket, chasing down 128.

Denied promotion last season due to accreditation issues, Parley are back in a familiar spot at the Hampshire League, County Division 1 summit.
They lie four points ahead of Hook & Newnham Basics II after posting 286-7 at Sway, who are falling away after six straight wins.
Jack Rowett (96) and Alex Nippard (79) shared a century stand for Parley, who bowled Sway out for 170, Oli Green (pictured) taking 5-17.  On the downside, Sam Collins and Jack Nicholls have broken fingers.
Hook trimmed bottom of the log Shrewton (130) by three wickets, while third placed Gosport Borough owed their five-wicket win over Old Basing to Gavin King (60) and Charlie Creal (42), who put an unbroken century stand together.
Ben Ungaretti (70) and Nick Willock (54) shone for Old Basing.
Matt Branford’s 127 enabled Hursley Park to post a handsome 305-5 against Ropley, who were dismissed for 225, Rory Tennant (son of Times of London scribe Ivo) taking 4-42.  John Boniface and Steve Oliphant to note.
Nico Newman, youngest of the cricketing Newman tribe of Romsey, struck a maiden hundred for OTs & Romsey but Ryde polished off their 246-8 with Kenny Rice scoring 78.
Chris Clarke and Harry Martin shared eight wickets as Longparish mowed Havant’s struggling second team down for 77.
There were wins for Alton and Andover seconds – and St Cross Symondians thirds who chased down Easton & Martyr Worthy’s 279-6 to win with three overs to spare.
Will La Fontaine Jackson made 117 for EMW. His opening partner was Johann van der Vesthuizen, who plays for the WACA Grade club Rockingham Mandurah in his native Australia.

SWAY sit top of the Hampshire County League Division One pyramid after making a terrific start to life in the highest standard the club has played.
With six wins out of six some are starting to mention the ‘P’ word, but for others there’s more a sigh of relief that the threat of relegation seemingly won’t be looming come August.
Disciplined bowling and fielding performances have underpinned the run, while the side also boasts several highly capable batters, including one or two with massive hitting power.
Of the batters the opening partnership combo of wicket-keeper Alex Hall and ‘skipper Tim Noble is a dependable model, the pair being excellent runners who can both accumulate when needed or push on when required against seam or spin.
Hall has made a cracking start to the season, hitting 217 runs including a magnificent 117 against Hook and Newnham Basics while Noble has 199 runs
The most powerful hitter in the line-up is the teenage prospect Dan Bailey – he already has 209 runs this season and underlined his talent with an unbelievable 106 against Hook off 58 balls, his second fifty coming off just 14 deliveries!
                                                                          Crucial knocks
Backing up the blossoming top order are several other batters who have all already played important innings’ this year in trying circumstances in a strong side where competition for places is fierce. 
The classy Jack Walton has 116 runs, including two 40-plus scores in recent weeks, while Neil Prince, Tom Thorp and Oscar Marshall have all played their part. The tail has even wagged at times, Josh Bailey and Sam Nailor both hitting crucial knocks when the top order struggled away at St Cross.
With the ball the bowling attack, at points hostile at others accurate, has been hugely boosted with the return of the highly influential David Steadman – who had seemed set to play in Bristol this year but has opted to return to the club he loves and has already bagged eight wickets.
His opening partner, the accurate swing bowler Jonathan Waller has nine wickets and conceded just 153 runs in his 53 overs so far – while Walton also has nine scalps. Highly sought-after leg spinner and top Hampshire prospect Josh Bailey meanwhile has eight (as does his twin brother) in the spin-heavy attack that is complemented with an exceptional fielding unit capably led by Oscar Marshall, Jack Baughan and Steadman and excellent slippers in Thorp and Jon Grasham.
There have also been crucial contributions by others; Sam Nailor has five wickets and Matt Bramwell and Grasham have both chipped in – the latter (the skipper of the Royal Navy) is set to play more as the season wears on and will undoubtedly have a big say in most games with his pacey action.

Will Harries has been presented with a souvenir cricket bat by The Cricketer magazine in recognition of his outstanding spell of 7-26 for Shrewton in last season's Wilts/Dorset Village Cup win over Burbage & Easton Royal.
He was named top player of the county quarter-final round.
The Shrews embark on their latest Village Cup adventure on Sunday (April 28), but face a tough home tie against Parley, 1pm.

Colden Common and Otterbourne’s prospects in County Division 4 South this coming season have been boosted by the arrival of players from Sporting Wessex, who withdrew from Regional 1 North East at the end of 2018.
The club, renamed Colden Common and Otterbourne SW, are looking forward to a new, and hopefully successful campaign, with the seconds and thirds in the Regional Central 1 and 2 respectively.
CCOSW are preparing for the season with indoor nets on Wednesday evenings between 8 and 9pm at Wyvern College in Fair Oak.
The 1st and 2nd teams will be playing at Boyes Lane in Colden Common, while the 3rds will play at the University ground in Wide Lane.
* Salthill have withdrawn from Regional 1 South East.

Burley, one of the New Forest's oldest clubs, capped a fine 2018 by winning the New Forest Sports Association Club of the Year award.
Long serving player and head youth team coach Ray Gunn were at a glittering ceremony at Balmer Lawn to collect the award, along with chairman Peter Goodwin and honorary club captain Barry Tucker.
Founded in 1875, Burley undertook their second overseas tour in November, playing two matches in North Africa and beating the Moroccan national team in the process.
They also raised £485 to buy their hosts a coconut cricket mat and have subsequently shipped cricket equipment (bats, pads and helmets) to Morocco.
Back on the historic village green, Burley's Kieron Hudson's new club record 883 runs won the Hampshire League County Division 4 West batting award for a second time, while James Brown's 32 wickets for the second team (a club record) helped Burley IIs win promotion to HCL Regional Division 1 West.
Burley's youth teams were also successful, the Under-10s winning the Dorset League Division 2 Cup, with the Under-15s runners-up in Division 3.

County 1
Batting: Alex Nippard (Parley) 758, Tom Gates (Hythe & Dibden) 683, * James Heiniger (Fareham & Crofton) 647, Rob Smith (Ropley) 624, * Tim Niemand (Ropley) 551, Steve Green (Parley) 502, Roshan Embalagama (Parley) 500, * Mark Giumelli (Easton & Martyr Worthy) 497, Tom Kent (Fareham & Croton) 496, Michael Taplin (Longparish) 489.
Bowling: Oli Green (Parley) 35 wickets, * Mark Giumelli (Easton & MW) 35, Andy Wakely (Hythe & Dibden) 30, Kevin Light (Hook & Newnham Basics II) 30, J Solanki (Hursley Park) 29, Steve Fryer (St Cross Symondians III) 27, Seb Newens (Ropley) 27, Will Harries (Shrewton) 26, Adeel Sudhan (Burridge II) 25, Harry Beardsley (Parley) 25.
County 2
Batting: Nick Willcock (Old Basing) 857, Harry Hovey (Bedhampton) 828, Tom Flack (East Woodhay) 727, Mike Hallett (Hayling Island) 721, Richard Dando (East Woodhay) 699, Alex Hall (Sway) 584, Jack Paskins (Locks Heath) 568, Andrew Hart (Bramshaw) 557, Kyran Munt (Odiham & Greywell) 537, Tim Noble (Sway) 521, Andy Gorty (Compton & Chandler’s Ford) 504.
Bowling: Josh Bailey (Sway) 34, Andy Gorty (CCF) 33, Miles Kingston (Bramshaw) 33, Nick Cooper (Old Basing) 33, Sam Robinson (Bedhampton) 32, Ali Gardner (Bedhampton) 30.
County 3 North
Batting: Paul Longland (OTs & Romsey III) 742, Inayat Khan (RAM) 687, A Gillard (Amport) 647, Glenn Willoughby (Redlynch & Hale) 568, C Mundy (Steeple Langford) 557, Ian Tanner (Redlynch & Hale) 533, Jake Channon (Chawton) 533.
Bowling: Inayat Khan (RAM) 39, S Smith (Steep (36), Alex Bone (Steep) 28, Tom Holbrook (Ramsdell) 26, Kevin Hopkins (Redlynch & Hale) 25, I Cowdrill (IBM Hursley) 25.
County 3 South
Batting: James Swaine (Emsworth) 526, A Hattingh (Bashley Rydal) 472, Advait Manor (Totton & Eling II) 450, Blake Darnley (Totton & Eling II) 431, Luke Hancock (Verwood) 408, J Cox (Bransgore) 408, Lewis le Clerq (Hambledon II) 400, Russell Rowe (Woodgreen) 396).
Bowling: Ant Norris (Emsworth) 33, R Thomas (Bransgore) 31, Pradesh Panamchickal (Kerala) 31, Charlie May (Winton) 25, Rob Norris (Emsworth) 25, Jason Naish (Woodgreen) 25.
County 4 North
Batting: Sam Miller (Overton) 757, Alex Reidy (Twyford) 732, Robbie Skeates (Wherwell) 711, Dan Sumner (Oakley) 572, Ben Trespass (Medstead) 509.
Bowling: Shay Bradley (Silchester) 30, Steve Curran (Medstead) 28, Will Hayward (Medstead) 27, Lewis Watts (Overton) 26, Nathan Young (Wherwell) 26.
County 4 South
Batting: Sayeed Shahid (Portsmouth & Southsea) 503, T Barnett (Froxfield) 502, Dan Czaicki (Old Netley & Highfield) 495, Chris Higgins (Ryde Cavaliers) 480, P Langley-Smith (Steep) 471, Andy Loudon (Ryde Cavaliers) 466, S Qureshi (Southampton Community) 465, Steve Wainwright (Bedhampton) 456, Oli Niemiec (Ryde Cavaliers) 451.
Bowling: Warren Turner (Railway Triangle) 36, Luke Charrett (Old Netley & Highfield) 32, C  Elvidge (Mansbridge) 27, Scott Taylor (Gosport Borough) 26, Gavin Buckle (Ampfield & North Baddesley) 26, Chris Higgins (Ryde Cavaliers) 25.
County 4 West
Batting: Kieron Hudson (Burley) 883, Jamie Skeoch (Sparsholt II), 746, Richie Blake (Mottisfont) 728, Abhijit Jagadeesh (Southampton Travellers) 702, Jonty Cooke (Stockbridge) 673.
Bowling: Shiv Choudhury (Southampton Travellers) 35, Tom Darby (Whiteparish) 34, Ian White (Hythe & Dibden II) 33, James Brown (Burley) 32, Scott Dawes (Paultons II) 31, Mike Doubell (Sparsholt II) 30, Dominic Norton (Pylewell Park) 30.
     

Crumbs !  Delegates attending next Thursday’s Hampshire League AGM (Shane Warne Suite, Ageas Bowl, 7.30) are going to have to use their loaves when it comes to voting on another proposals to scrap teas.
Two years ago Fair Oak’s plan to bring an end to the traditional cucumber sandwich break went stale after clubs had chewed over the fat; now Waterlooville are on the case, backed by Southampton Travellers.
If the Ville get their way, clubs visiting Rowlands Avenue and/or Cowplain won’t be getting tea – that’s unless they bring a picnic or tucker bag along – or anywhere else in the Hampshire League, save may be County 1, come to that ! 
Waterlooville’s proposals read -
Amendment 1: Provision of teas: The home team shall NOT be required to provide a tea in ALL Divisions. Players may bring their own individual tea if required. Tea may be provided if both teams agree to share the cost.
Amendment 2. if amendment 1 is defeated
Provision of teas: The home team shall NOT be required to provide a tea in County Divisions 2 to 4 and ALL regional Divisions. Players may bring their own individual tea if required. Tea may be provided if both teams agree to share the cost.
Amendment 3, if amendments 1 & 2 are both defeated.
Provision of teas: The home team shall NOT be required to provide a tea in ALL Regional Divisions. Players may bring their own individual tea if required. Tea may be provided if both teams agree to share the cost.
Thursday's AGM now has plenty on its plate ...

This past year has been a testing one for the Management Committee (MC) and the Clubs with earlier starts, loan players and other rule changes. 
The weather was very kind with almost a full programme every week. The majority appear to have taken on board the new Rule changes and hopefully have seen improvements. We have lost fewer clubs and have five new entrants for 2019. 
I must congratulate the various champion clubs, as I know that had to be a great effort to win a League over many games. We wish Hythe & Dibden and Fareham & Crofton the best of luck as they return to the Southern Premier League.  I know they will do well: they have been there before, Hythe many years ago.  We welcome relegated pair Havant II and Gosport Borough to County Division 1, both doubtless anxious to make a quick return.
I also congratulate the Women’s Division Champions, Aldershot and Ropley, even though Women’s League fixtures were fragmented due to the ECB demands. The ECB wanted them to repeat last season’s later start but they have told their Committee that they will return to a normal fixture pattern in 2019 with 18 teams divided into 3 Divisions.
The two autumn Presentation evenings at the Southampton Novotel and the Apollo (Basingstoke) were, once more, well attended and enjoyed by all. We have to thank our Secretary, Anne Craft whose superb organizational skills ensured the functions ran smoothly. Mike Vimpany spends many pre-dinner hours preparing his MC scripts to make the evenings all the more enjoyable and his efforts are greatly appreciated.
Fewer teams withdrew throughout the season and as the 2019 season approaches we have gained 5 additions to the HCL. There were, however, a lot of matches not played where clubs were unable to field sides. In excess of 40 were lost and many when Hampshire reached the Royal London Cup final at Lords, and when England played in the soccer World Cup. This is not fair on the teams that play every week, but also shows a lack of commitment by players.  The Cricket World Cup will encroach on our forthcoming season and we could lose more matches. 
Due to the difficulties we experienced in 2018, the MC have put forward a proposal to take away Rule 22.3 and have no forced withdrawals of 3 or 4 failing to fulfill fixtures. The teams will still be punished with 20 points deduction and a game played at zero points.  This will help with League statistics and make relegation and promotion clearer. 
We have also decided we have to change with the times and we have reduced our Ground Standards in County 3 and County 4 Leagues. A few years ago, County 4 was our 5th bottom division, but for 2019 with our new format it is our 3rd bottom. This is also to help teams that are unable to improve their facilities such as the New Forest.  If we do not make these measures we will lose some of our village and smaller sides and players will either leave or be swallowed up by the larger clubs.
The Committee does listen and we have to get players back into cricket - but that does not mean wholesale changes immediately.  Travelling is another issue and Andy Stevenson has always done his best to keep travel to a minimum.  I believe he has done a brilliant job with travelling in the Regional Divisions much less. Regional 2 Divisions are now our entry points and we have gone back to 17/18 teams per League as last season the 9 team leagues had fewer games as teams withdrew and two fixtures were lost each time.  Some teams only had 9 or 10 fixtures. We are always going to have problems with the size of our County with some of our clubs out on a limb. We have again declined an application from an Isle of Wight Club and out of County teams thinking about travelling costs for our teams. We have provided teams with a concessionary rate for trips to the Isle of Wight which has been welcomed.
The pilot of Loan players have been used by some and successfully on the whole but there have been a few misuse so we have decided to propose that we tighten up and not allow Southern League cricketers from foreign teams to be loan players and pilot this for another year.
A special mention must also go to our Fixture Secretary [Stewart Frazier] who in conjunction with Andy gets the fixtures circulated before the end of the calendar year. I would like to thank all the Committee again for all their hard work throughout the year.  They spend many hours, with administration, ground reports, results, discipline, the format of the League and Fixtures, and sorting out your complaints and problems.  Our new members Clare Taylor [Treasurer] and Paul Turner [Rules & Discipline Chairman] settled in well and they have been kept on their toes throughout 2018.  Anne Craft and my Vice Chairman, Philip Wilson keeping the system ticking along.  Will George, our Media expert, is working on Result and Ground Report being submitted on-line and hopefully be up and running for the coming season.
Our Grounds Sub Committee worked tirelessly all season to ensure the standard of our pitches does not drop. Clubs have to be responsible in marking the grounds as we cannot get around hundreds of matches each week to see if pitches and facilities are acceptable.  As times change the Ground and Management Committee have revisited the Ground Standards as mentioned earlier.  The Standards now put the onus on the state of pitches and less on facilities.  That is why the collation of Ground marks is so important.
The Discipline Sub-Committee has continued to be busy with a number of cases,  chairman Paul Turner having a hectic first season.  I must remind all Clubs it is their responsibility to control their players and at times their spectators. Umpires need to be supported, as many are leaving the game.  We have dealt with a number of disciplines some very serious and given out the appropriate punishments. There have been other complaints that although reported there was no evidence provided. I urge all teams to report all discipline matters and follow that up with the evidence. Several serious incidents have not been dealt with because the evidence was not forthcoming.  We must back our Umpires, and as a Committee we will do so even though one club threatened to sue us last season. 
I hope the weather is kind again and wish all teams a successful and enjoyable 2019 season.
Denis Emery, Chairman.

Lymington 4th team captain Chris Tollerfield, Dinton opener Ben Coombes and Carl Delaney of Crown Taverners added their names to the illustrious list of cricketers – now numbering 16 since 1994 – who have scored 1,000 or more runs in a Hampshire League season.
Tollerfield chalked up 1,043 runs in Regional Division 3 South West, including a career-best 232 not out against Hordle Village. He also made centuries against Parley, Sway and Verwood, plus four scores of fifty or more.
Dinton’s Ben Coombes hadn’t made a century in eight seasons – but once he made 100 against Damerham on the opening day of the 2018 season, he couldn’t stop scoring runs.  In all, he struck five centuries, plus six 50-plus scores and ended the season with a 1,011 run aggregate in Regional Division 2 North East.
Carl Delaney’s 1,006 runs for Crown Taverners included a top score of 157 not out against Easton & Martyr Worthy. His other hundreds in Regional Division 2 North East came against Bentworth, Littleton & West Hill, Ramsdell and Sparsholt.
Hampshire League Batting Hall of Fame -
* denotes overseas player
1264: Charlie Forward [Romsey, C1, 1995]
1263: Peter Tugwell [Burridge, C2, 1995]
1138: Scott Dyer [Silchester, 3NE, 2009]
1122: * H.Majid [Sarisbury Athletic, C2, 2000]
1110: Mike Covill [Farley, 1W, 2015]
1103: * Byron Haycock [Waterlooville, C1, 2013]
1092: * Hugo Nel [Hungerford, C2, 2015]
1081: Chris Powell [Poole OG & Poole, C4, 1994]
1080: I.Agha [Peartree, 4C, 2009]
1077: * Adrian Greyvenstein [Hythe & Dibden, C2, 2003]
1065: Matt Hardy [Cadnam, C3S, 2015]
1043: Chris Tollerfield [Lymington, 3SW, 2018]
1031: Max Smith [Romsey, C1, 1995]
1011: Ben Coombes [Dinton, 2NW, 2018]
1009: Richard Pleace jnr [Liss, 3NE, 2011]
1006: Carl Delaney [Crown Taverners, 2NE, 2018]

Patience has become a great virtue for Breamore, who were refused promotion from Regional South West 1 three times in the past ten years before a change in Hampshire League policy relating to New Forest clubs has allowed them entry into County Division 4 West in 2019.
In fact, its third time lucky for Breamore, who finished in promotion places in both 2016 and 2017 before this year's third place behind champions Hyde and runners-up Lyndhurst & Ashurst got them their long overdue promotion ticket.
It's good news for the prolific Marlow brothers, Shaun and Steve, who have dominated SW1 attacks for the past decade or more and bowling pair Andy Bennett and Tom Marlow, this season's leading wicket takers.
Breamore's picturesque ground, a few miles north of Fordingbridge, is illustrated above.

County Division 4 North winners Oakley were the only team in entire Hampshire League to boast an unblemished 100% record in 2018, all  16 matches played and won. 
It was the 106th occasion since league’s formation in 1973 that a team had gone through the season with a perfect record, although Oakley had a close call in their penultimate match, beating Ashford Hill by a solitary run.
Dan Sumner enjoyed a fine all-round season, with 572 runs (including an unbeaten 117* v Wherwell) and 25 wickets, as did team-mate Chris Welsman, who pouched 24 wickets in addition to scoring 342 runs.
Gerry Dique made 410 runs , while Tom Barnes (22 wickets ) and  Rob Wood, with 18 victims despite bowling off only 44 overs, played key roles.

Hyde’s near clean sweep of south-west regional division cricket in the Hampshire League over the past two seasons has been rewarded after all.
The New Forest club has won 25 of its 28 league matches in the past two seasons, romping away with the South West Regional Division Two and One titles in the process.
But they feared that despite winning back to back championships, promotion into the County Divisions – and potential progress further up the pyramid – would be blocked due to the bumpy outfield on Hyde Common, a popular grazing spot for Forest cattle, donkeys and ponies, not meeting Hampshire League criteria.
In fact, shortly after clinching the SW1 title in late August, Hyde were told by the HCL that they were not being recommended for promotion to County Division 4 West next summer.
But league chairman Denis Emery has led a move to unlock the promotion door for not only Hyde, but Breamore and Lyndhurst & Ashurst, whose grounds also fell short of HCL requirements.
“We have ensured that New Forest clubs are not penalised by Forest Laws and restrictions and will help any club that needs it to continue playing.  Times change and we must change with it,” he explained.
Tom Morris’s 473 runs and 24-wicket hauls by Rob Morey and Will Alvis ensured Hyde would play CD4 West cricket next summer with a host of tasty derbies against Burley, Ellingham, Farley, Mottisfont, Pylewell Park, Redlynch & Hale, and Sway on a mouth watering menu.

OLD NETLEY & HIGHFIELD won 13 of their 15 matches to secure a first HCL title – the most significant victory coming on the penultimate week of the season when they beat Southampton Community by 96 runs.
Twice, against Ryde Cavaliers and Trojans, they posted 300-plus totals, with Dan Czaicki hitting an unbeaten 138 among his 495 runs.  John Powell clocked up 389 runs, Adam Comber complemented his 470-run tally with 18 wickets.  Luke Cherrett’s 35-wicket haul included a spell of 7-17 against Trojans.
Old Netley are reaping the benefits of their investments.
Some years back they completely re-laid their square at Portsmouth Road and generally enhanced the facilities they share with Sholing FC.   There is a very healthy junior section at the club, providing cricket for teams from nine years of age upwards.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal received a £100 boost from the Hampshire Cricket League following the first of this winter’s presentation awards dinners.
“All the award winners who came to the Southampton Novotel without wearing a poppy in their lapel was ‘fined’ a pound. It created a lot of fun,” explained HCL chairman Denis Emery.
“This is the third year we have supported the Royal British Legion and we’re delighted to back such a wonderful cause.”

Oakley were not only unbeaten Hampshire League County Division 4 North champions this season – but were also crowned ECB’s Vitality Under 19 Club T20  Club of the Year, having been invited to Lord’s to receive the award. 
The club, based in the countryside a mile or two outside of Basingstoke, built on a magnificent NatWest CricketForce showcase day by entering the T20 for the first time.
Their policy of only recruiting new members who want to help out with club life has bred a culture of mucking in together, so the whole club threw itself into the new tournament, capturing a spectacular match-day experience on video : www.facebook.com/oakleycricketclub/videos/2331550923538074
Their season culminated in an evening of fireworks, the unveiling of a new electronic scoreboard (funded by an ECB Small Grant), and a secondary scoreboard for ease of spectator viewing.
Spectators enjoyed the local brewery’s beer tent, BBQ, music, raffle, spectator catch of the match, spectator seating.  The club laid on man of the team prizes, a players’ match time area and local press and social media coverage.
The new team didn’t win any games but won many friends in the Vitality Under 19 Club T20 ‘Edwards’ development group, and inspired the club’s first team to a 100% record and promotion to its highest ever level.
The club is to start a third team in Regional 3 North East in 2019 after senior players (led by the club chair) regularly stood down to give young talent the chance to flourish.
*Oakley’s youngsters are pictured at the ECB’s Vitality Awards presentation at Lord’s receiving their prize.

Redlynch & Hale, County Division 3 North champions
Back (from left): Alan George (Umpire), Andy Soutar, Ben Brown, James Taylor, Ian Tanner, Kevin Hopkins, Russ Church, Lin Church (Scorer). Front: Will Hewlett, Ben Vincent, Glenn Willoughby, George Hayes, Dave Webber.  Picture Jim Hewlett.

Redlynch & Hale probably thought they had blown their County Division 3 North title hopes when RAM beat them so convincingly three weeks from the end of the season. 
But the championship race took another dramatic twist seven days later when RAM themselves were beaten by Michelmersh & Timsbury – a result which opened the door for Redlynch to eventually claim the title by six points.
Redlynch batted themselves into winning positions with seven separate totals in excess of 260, Glenn Willoughby (568) and the promising Ian Tanner (533) each scoring over 500 runs.
Lead all-rounder Kevin Hopkins complemented his 454 runs with 25 wickets, while Dave Webber (381) and Andy Soutar (301) made their respective marks.  Russ Church weighed in with 19 wickets, including 5-27 v Steeple Langford.

Parley, runners-up to Hythe & Dibden in County Division 1.

Parley’s aspirations of a successful debut season in HCL County 1 were fairly high. However losing four out of the first five games (having lost only six in the previous four seasons) was not the way it had been planned. Subsequently, winning 11 out of the remaining 12 matches showed the ability and resolve within the side which, remarkably, finished runners-up, only one point behind champions Hythe & Dibden.
By the time those first five games had been completed, finger and hand injuries to captain and Dorset Minor Counties opening batsman Sam Collins and opening bowler Tom Blackley meant they would miss the next 17 games between them. What a season it might have been if they had not played in the first five !
A total of 25 players were used during the season with their ages ranging between 14 and 63. Individual honours are easy to identify with Alex Nippard winning the County 1 batting award, with 758 runs and Ollie Green finishing as top bowler, with 35 wickets. Other notable achievers were Shane Green (502) and Roshan Embalagama (500). With the ball, Harry Beardsley took 25 wickets and Dave Elrick rolled back the years taking 18 wickets.
After such a poor start, to finish as runners up in County 1 ranks as a pretty good effort. However, Parley have been denied promotion to the Southern Premier League due to various accreditation issues.

Harry Hovey led the way as Bedhampton Mariners strolled to the Hampshire League, County Division 2 title, winning all bar one of their 15 matches.
A Southern Premier Division winner with Havant in 2016, Hovey returned to the area after scoring over 500 runs to help fuel Bickley Park’s promotion into the Kent Premier League last year.
Included in his 828 runs tally for Bedhampton this summer were four separate centuries – Portsmouth II (130), New Milton II (129), Old Basing (106) and Hayling Island (119) – on top of which Hovey took 21 wickets.  In support, Scott Chilton made 426 runs, while Sam Robinson (32) and Ali Gardner (30) were the most successful bowlers.
Bedhampton are joined in County 1 next season by runners-up Sway and Old Basing.