 |  Compton & Chandler's Ford pictured after their dramatic finale to the 2019 County Division 2 championship race. |
Compton & Chandler’s Ford’s Hampshire League County Division 2 championship triumph could hardly have been more dramatic. Everything hinged on the outcome of the final match of the season against title rivals Portsmouth. To be more precise, it was still in the balance when the last over began on Southsea seafront.
Chasing Portsmouth’s 225-4, CCF were in cruise mode when Andy Gorty (77) and Rhys Willmott (49) were together. Then came a wobble. With ten to win off the last over, Liam Palmer (34) was run out. Ten off five balls. No sweat for Scott Spearing. A four over mid-on, then a massive six clean over the St Helen’s pavilion. A five-wicket win. All settled.
By then, Compton had said a fond farewell to Australian teenager Jack Riding, who plundered 801 runs in 13 knocks. The young Victorian, from the gold mining town of Ballarat who plays his Grade cricket in Geelong, hit centuries against Sarisbury Athletic, Ferndown Wayfarers and East Woodhay, besides making six more scores between 50 and 83.
Riding was at the forefront of things as CCF sped to ten straight wins (making it 14 on the trot since the end of 2018) until an early August blip (back to back losses to Odiham & Greywell and Winton) set up that winner take all finish against Portsmouth.
Overall, there were fine all-round contributions from Andy Gorty (447 runs and 20 wickets) and Alex Spearing, who hit three 50s and produced the season’s best bowling figures, a 5-37 return against Bramshaw. Mat Scorey took 26 wickets and Ash Lovell 23.
Chasing Portsmouth’s 225-4, CCF were in cruise mode when Andy Gorty (77) and Rhys Willmott (49) were together. Then came a wobble. With ten to win off the last over, Liam Palmer (34) was run out. Ten off five balls. No sweat for Scott Spearing. A four over mid-on, then a massive six clean over the St Helen’s pavilion. A five-wicket win. All settled.
By then, Compton had said a fond farewell to Australian teenager Jack Riding, who plundered 801 runs in 13 knocks. The young Victorian, from the gold mining town of Ballarat who plays his Grade cricket in Geelong, hit centuries against Sarisbury Athletic, Ferndown Wayfarers and East Woodhay, besides making six more scores between 50 and 83.
Riding was at the forefront of things as CCF sped to ten straight wins (making it 14 on the trot since the end of 2018) until an early August blip (back to back losses to Odiham & Greywell and Winton) set up that winner take all finish against Portsmouth.
Overall, there were fine all-round contributions from Andy Gorty (447 runs and 20 wickets) and Alex Spearing, who hit three 50s and produced the season’s best bowling figures, a 5-37 return against Bramshaw. Mat Scorey took 26 wickets and Ash Lovell 23.
