The Hampshire and Dorset Cricket Societies resume this week after their respective Christmas/New Year holiday breaks.
Former England cricketer James Taylor (left) is the HCS guest speaker at the Romsey Golf Club on Wednesday (2pm), with Dorset & Bashley (Rydal) scorer Christine Drew giving a talk to the Hurn Bridge flock the following lunchtime. Why not come along, have lunch and meet a lot of cricket minded people ?   

The ECB is running an Umpire course at Romsey Academy School, Greatbridge, Romsey SO51 8ZB, on Sunday 26 January 2025.
The course is the only entry point into the umpiring structure. 
More information can be found here https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.utilitabowl.com%2F...%2Fecb-umpiring-course...%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3IlVAtGoev_gAVYsaJ53gZhHL88H7rxozu9cmazmMsWm0SJveqrjat88k_aem_uDczvkoFxKNuDU6O7b1rUg&h=AT1FQNpAMuXz1EeeqsRPyRBhCMCvk2cCEievduIW6ZOxjT_NnGNC-sA6fC9b_AwjInqjmEmQFHifvpkMwI1Rg3U3qYrMwVxR_SZIPkieFKqz-XaLP8zwm3PQycfOYtZw1mh-GwmTeEIh78Je9-_P&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1txtTKY2zWtHlSi7-F-U9SRUS3oyNPCPGI9gDlNhnQwawqRyRW2ZVL2YJ7ncBMcaTvzlhLiIp18DtkMsWnXyyI7cc4_-Shvmgadlxs1Ou81EDqSIshDG-iyYid5HC_AtvyZXze1-EOmMJ9hE7R6VjYDhX0tKtgG0iwYnbn7HwEyI9Dc0_ZLc5XL12k09JTJU0CyqPT_2ox7NUnHyxNM8vnXrlIkymIU3JmSJPplknRUwpD1MTPJYwz

Calmore Sports leg spin bowler Eve O'Neill, who made her mark in Southern Premier League cricket last May with a five-wicket return at Ventnor, has flown to Malaysia today to play for England in the ICC Under-19 Women's World Cup.
Sixteen year old O'Neill, who claimed the scalp of impressed Sarisbury Athletic run gun Tom Morton's on her 2023 SPL debut, has been awarded the Charlotte Edwards Award for Outstanding Under 16 Schoolgirl Cricketer by The Cricket Society.
The Barton Peveril College student enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, taking over 60 wickets for Hampshire Women and the Southern Vipers Academy. 
Plying her trade at Calmore Sports, she took 15 wickets for the club's senior sides, including 5-26 at Ventnor, and was named in England Women’s U19 World Cup squad, where she will feature with her Southern Vipers teammate Abi Norgrove, who has been appointed captain.
England play Ireland, Pakistan and the USA in their initial qualifying group. 

Fair Oak, newly promoted into Southern Premier League Division 1, are keen to arrange pre-season friendly matches on Saturdays April 19 and 26 2025, but as their ground at Lapstone Park is unavailable until May the games would have to be played away from home. 
Any club of SPL standard able to offer Fair Oak fixtures on either of these dates should contact Harry Reed at [email protected] or 07399 615 582.
Oaks begin their Premier 1 programme at Hook & Newnham Basics on May 3 2025.

Tributes have poured in for Colin Beer, the retired Hampshire cricket youth coach and manager, who died recently aged 87 years.
Mr Beer managed the Hampshire Under-19 and 17 county teams in the mid-1990s with distinction, his squads frequently doing well in national competitions. 
In his playing days, he was a prominent, tall pace bowler who twice took all ten opposition wickets in an innings, once for Oliver’s Battery in the Hampshire League against Hayling Island. 
A civil engineer by profession, he worked for many years for Hampshire County Council, being heavily involved (back in the Eighties) with the construction of the initial phases of the M27.
The firm, often finger bone crushing handshake with which he greeted people, masked Colin Beer’s kind and gentle personality which made him such a popular figure among the scores of talented youngsters he coached.
Among his early ‘pupils’ was a young Tony Middleton, who went on to make 160 Hampshire appearances, having dipped his toes into local cricket by playing alongside Beer at Oliver’s Battery, the club he joined after moving up from Devon, via a short spell at South Wilts.
He said: “I had known Colin a long time, since playing alongside him; my first experiences of senior cricket at Oliver’s Battery.
“He loved talking cricket and had both a passion for and a great knowledge of the game.  His coaching message was always positive, relaxed and supportive.  A kind and gentle man with a smile for everyone.”  
                                           ONE OF THE TOP GUYS
Middleton’s views were echoed by Millfield Mark Garaway, who went on to become England analyst in Duncan Fletcher Ashes winning era, after working at Hampshire.
New Milton all-rounder David Wheeler reflected on the “Many good memories of his time with the Hampshire Colts.
“Colin was well liked and respected by the teams, and he worked hard to encourage their talent. He was one of the top guys.” 
Colin was married for over 50 years to Ginnie (Jenny) for over 50 years – his wife, a long term and highly respected civil servant, taking on the duties of Hampshire YC official scorer.  
Born in Brixham, Mr Beer played his early cricket at Crediton, taking all ten North Devon wickets for 47 runs at Instow in May 1964.
Twenty seasons later, repeated the remarkable ten-wicket feat playing for Oliver’s Battery against Hayling Island – his stunning 10-20 return sitting proudly in the Hampshire League’s records.
The two cricket balls, mounted and engraved with his match figures, sat proudly in the lounge at his Bishopstoke home.
Beer skippered the Castle cricket team for two spells, also playing for Lymington, Bramtoco (latterly BAT Sports) and Locks Heath, where he spent years coaching a thriving junior section.
Funeral details will be announced shortly.

 Fiona Newnham, one of Ventnor Cricket Club’s most loyal and long serving volunteers, has been
awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.
Her extraordinary contribution to Ventnor Cricket Club is largely un-paralleled and unique in its many
facets of volunteering.
Already an active committee member, Fiona’s major role within the Club started in the early 1990’s
and at a time when we decided on a change of direction. The Club were accepted into the
Hampshire Cricket League, progressing through the pyramid to win promotion to the Southern
Premier League in 2000.
Not only did she become the main Club scorer during this time, committing to mainland travel at least
every other week, Fiona also volunteered to drive the players’ minibus to games with many eventful
stories emanating over the years!
The Club would not have been able to sustain travel costs to matches without external support and it
is thanks to Fiona’s excellent links and negotiating skills that the Red Funnel ferry company has
continued to sponsor us for more than 20 seasons.
                                                                           Catering chairman
Over the years, Fiona has been a great support to the 1st XI captain in her role as team
manager, using her effervescent personality to take responsibility for onerous jobs such as collecting
match fees and subscriptions, encouraging attendance at practice and net sessions and ensuring all
players are registered to compete in our competitions.
Always willing to step up to assist in other areas, she somehow managed to combine scoring with the
job as caterer for several seasons and is currently the Chair of the House and Bar Committee.
Indeed, Fiona remains a familiar face behind the bar, both after matches and even occasionally
between overs, such is her versatility and never ending energy!
The acquisition of overseas players is a considerable commitment, and the Club could not have
entertained such an ambition without Fiona’s generosity in hosting cricketers in her own home over
the years. 
                                                                         Computer expertise
Fiona also provides an important link to club members, ensuring that weekly match reports are
distributed and forthcoming events and matches publicised.
Her organisational abilities also extend to the minute taking of our Executive and Cricket Committee
meetings and disseminating the notes and actions to colleagues.
Fiona has brilliantly embraced technological developments in the cricket scorer’s world and to
observe her computer expertise while simultaneously maintaining the traditional score book and
electronic scoreboard is a sight to behold!
To be chosen to score for South Africa at Lord’s in a one day international several years ago was a
thoroughly deserved honour for Fiona.
Her scoring expertise also caught the eye of Hampshire Cricket and two years ago Fiona was
appointed the County’s Official Scorer, quite an achievement and a proud moment for Fiona and our
Club.
Fiona continues to be an integral part of the Club. Our success and development over the years
owes so much to the skills, loyalty, generosity, work ethic, enthusiasm and humour she possesses.
Over the years, few volunteers in the Club have given and continue to give, so much of their time for
the benefit of others.
Her recognition is a fitting tribute to a much loved and respected member of Ventnor Cricket​ Club.
The late John Hilsum was similarly awarded with the BEM in 2021, while last week retired Hampshire chief executive Rod Bransgrove has received the OBE, while Ken Weatherley, father of Hampshire batsman Joe Weatherley, is similarly rewarded for his services to tennis.

Hampshire globe trotting prospect Toby Albert was dismissed four runs short of a Christmas century as Joondalup, his adopted West Australian Grade club, romped to a six-wicket win over WACA Premiership rials Willetton.
Albert, who has clocked up over 32,000 airmiles travelling to Perth (twice) and Guyana (with Hampshire) since the end of the county championship season, was trapped leg before wicket for 96 as Joondalup comfortably chased down Willetton's 248. He struck four sixes and nine fours.
South Wilts all-rounder Jack Mynott completed a successful pre-Christmas trip to Western Australia by playing a prominent part in Fremantle's resounding win over Mount Lawley at the Stevens Reserve.
Having made 55 in Fremantle's 365-5, Mynott took 3-26 in a miserly 15-over spell which saw Mount Lawley skittled for 110. They were 31-4 in their second dig, so well beaten over the two days.
Mynott, who takes Dauntsey's School to Sri Lanka at Easter, should return to his Coombe Bissett home in time for the Viscount to carve the Christmas turkey.
Bournemouth's Ben Rogers made 63 and snared five dismissals behind the stumps as East Keilor came close to an outright win over Point Cook in the Victoria Turf competition. It was his second fifty-plus score of the Aussie during which he's made 240 runs at an average of 30. 
Bashley (Rydal) left-hander Jack Stearman is spending the winter on Sydney's northern beaches (Baywatch comes to mind) with cricket in the Shires competition at Warringah, where's he's so far made two 50-plus scores ... and taken 4-43 in the last round of pre-Christmas matches. M Porter to note. 
Hambledon's Chris Pratt continued his good form for WPCC seconds against Claremont in Cape Town's  Western Province competition, making a winter's best 96 of his side's winning 306-4. Claremont replied with 220-8.

​Hursley Park cricketer Will Flynn is among several players with local connections to be selected by England Men’s Physically Disabled squad for the upcoming quad series against Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan in Colombo.
He is joined by the Hammond brothers, Alex and Hugo, and Angus Brown, who played for Hartley Wintney before joining the prominent Edinburgh club, The Grange.
The series, which begins on January 12, will see England play six times, twice each against hosts Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan respectively, with the top two competing in the final.

​Hampshire's Academy side will open their ECB Southern Premier League championship defence against newly promoted Portsmouth on Southsea seafront on Saturday May 3 2025. 
The young Hawks lifted the Premier crown for the first time this summer, beating South Wilts by two wickets in a winner take all final match of the season.  
Portsmouth, who have former Bangladesh skipper Mohammed Ashraful returning to St Helen's for a second season, are back in the SPL's top flight for the first time in 17 years having twice beaten Sarisbury Athletic on their way to the Division 1 title.
The remaining four opening day Premier Division fixtures feature a New Forest derby between Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington, Bournemouth hosting Basingstoke & North Hants, and 2023 champions Burridge visiting St Cross Symondians.
There are five rounds of 50-over 'white ball' matches in May before all-day 'time' cricket is played during June and July, after which games revert to limited over matches for the last four weeks of the season.
Havant, relegated from the top flight  of Southern League  cricket for the first time in their long and proud history, will play 'white ball' 50-ovr matches throughout the season.
They begin at Rowledge with Sarisbury Athletic away at Totton & Eling, Hook & Newnham Basics hosting SPL1 newcomers Fair Oak at the KGV and Waterlooville setting sail for Ventnor.
Twice Division 2 champions in the past three seasons, yo-yo club Hambledon launch their campaign at Old Tauntonians & Romsey.
Relegated pair Andover and Calmore Sports begin with Division 2 away days at Portsmouth & Southsea and Hartley Wintney, respectively.
Hampshire League champions Odiham & Greywell face a tough start at Sparsholt, while Gosport Borough face Fareham & Crofton in a Privett Park derby.

​* Check www.spcl.play-cricket.com for the 2025 Premier Division fixtures.

​The ECB has cut its £15,000 annual funding for the ECB 50+ County Championship, five months before the 2025 competition was set to begin. The financial backing was for cricket balls and the hire of neutral grounds for the annual September finals.
Seniors sides from Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight are regular participants in the national Brian Aspital competition which the ECB took over from the former National Cricket Association in 1984. 
The participating counties may decided to 'go it alone' without ECB backing in 2025 with zoom meetings expected to take place in early January.   The Sixties and Seventies competitions are unaffected.

Two teenage all-rounders who helped the Hampshire Academy win the ECB Southern Premier League championship this summer have been rewarded with professional contracts at the Utilita Bowl.
Millfield schooled Dom Kelly and Canford's Eddie Jack have signed rookie contracts with Hampshire having impressed across formats over the past three seasons.
All-rounder Kelly, who lives in Winchester, made his debut for the club in a First-Class match against Sri Lanka Development XI in 2022, before playing his first List A match in the Royal London Cup the same year, against Lancashire at Utilita Bowl.
Tall fast bowler Jack made his first outing for the Rose and Crown against Middlesex in the 2023 Metro Bank One-Day Cup before claiming figures of 2-28 in his next match against Nottinghamshire.
Both players have featured for England U19s, with the duo playing in the 2023 Men’s U19s Ashes and in the Men’s U19 World Cup in early 2024.
Kelly came into the Hampshire Academy in 2020, aged just 14 years, and made an instant impact as he took 3-16 on debut against Alton. Impressive performances for the Academy and Second XI earned him a professional debut in 2022, but had to wait until 2023 for more regular opportunities in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
"Over the last few years, I have learnt a lot at Hampshire, and I think a lot of it is down to being a part of a fantastic group of people," he said.
"Eddie and I have been through a similar journey at the Club, and been fortunate enough to learn from some of the best in the game, so I am grateful to everyone for their support to help me secure my first pro deal."
                                                                                          Hat trick
Kelly claimed five wickets as he played in six out of Hampshire’s ten matches as the team were One-Day Cup finalists, but in 2024, he became the first Hampshire bowler to claim a List A hat-trick since the great West Indian Malcolm Marshall in 1981.
Kelly had Zak Chappell caught, Harry Moore bowled, and Daryl Dupavillon trapped lbw in successive deliveries to win the match, and claim 5-19, against Derbyshire at Utilita Bowl.
Eddie Jack, 19, also made his way through the Academy having debuted in 2021. He played in six matches as Hampshire qualified for the final of the 2023 One-Day Cup, where he picked up nine wickets with a best of 3-31 coming against Yorkshire.
"First and foremost, I’m incredibly grateful to Giles White and all the coaching staff for supporting me over the last three years on the Academy and now for giving me the opportunity to do the thing I love most for a living.
"After coming through the age groups growing up and playing at Utilita Bowl over the past few summers, Hampshire really feels like my cricketing home. 
"With the privilege of being able to use ‘Pop’s [Graeme Welch, bowling coach at Hampshire] expertise and learn from the experience of the bowling group, this is the perfect place for me to learn and expand my skills as a player. The opportunities that lie ahead to develop and win games for Hampshire are really exciting.
Hampshire's Cricket Director Giles White said: "Eddie and Dom are both talented young cricketers, that have made big strides over the last few years. 
"They progressed through our Academy system and played a big part in England U19 squads of recent years. Having started their Hampshire journey together, we look forward to seeing them continue their development in the years to come."
Both Dom Kelly and Eddie Jack helped Hampshire Academy lift the Southern Premier League trophy as they won eight matches.
Kelly scored 276 runs with a best of 84, along with taking nine wickets, whilst Jack claimed eight wickets and scored 127 runs with a high score of 54*.

​ODIHAM & GREYWELL, runaway 2024 Hampshire League winners.
Standing (from left): Kyran Munt, Dylan Kettle, Liam Doran, Scott Mcgaughrin, Will Kettle, Jonathan Hawk. Seated: Ollie Turner, Craig Williamson, Jack Malden, Edward Ikin, Gareth Sharp.

Odiham & Greywell's cricketers are counting down the weeks before they debut in the  Southern Premier League's third division in May.
They will be eager to make up for lost time having been denied automatic promotion from Division 1 in 2023 because they did not have an ECB Clubmark accreditation in place at the time.
They  finished third two seasons ago, but with all the accreditation boxes subsequently ticked, Odiham swept almost all before them this summer, winning 11 matches on the spin before 2023 HL champions Ferndown Wayfarers beat them in the last game of the season.
Odiham finished 21 points ahead of Alton seconds, who finished runners-up are also promoted.  
"The O’s are excited to have achieved a long held ambition of the club in reaching the Southern Premier League.  We've enjoyed three terrific seasons since covid," said skipper Jack Malden, who will lead the side again in 2025.
Odiham played in the Thames Valley League until 2012 and in 2018, six playing seasons ago (there was no competition in 2020 due to covid) were languishing in Division 3 North.   
In 2021, they were promoted from Division 2 and, after three seasons in HL1, are headed upwards again, this time into the Southern Premier League.
Australian Gareth Sharp, with 565 runs, topped O's batting charts this year, with Ed Ikin (483) and Kyran Munt (404) making their marks, while teenager Dylan Kettle, with 24 wickets, was the most successful bowler.

Promoted alongside Odiham & Greywell are Alton II, who finished 21 points behind the champions, having won 12 of their 15 Division 1 matches.
Alton line-up: Standing (from left) Matt Crane, Arul Apavoo, Wilf Bridger, Tom Andrews, Sam Bridger, Freddie Egleston. Seated: Ryan Hale, Joe Paul, Andy Postles, Michael Heffernan, Gemma Porter.
Ryan Hale top scored with 559 runs, supported by Michael Heffernan (428), skipper Andy Postles (384) and Joe Paul (357). Tom Andrews topped the HL bowling averages with 32 scalps, one more than Wilf Bridger 31, who finished third in the log.

South Wilts batter Jack Mynott hit a half-century in what may be his farewell WACA Premier Grade appearance for Fremantle prior to his probable UK return in a week's time.  He scored 57 as Fremantle ran up a formidable 365-5 against Mount Lawley.  Mynott will turn to spin bowling duties on day two of the final WACA match before Christmas after which he will fly home to enjoy his turkey with his family at a slap up meal at the Viscount's residence.
Have bat will travel appears to be Toby Albert's motto as the Hampshire youngster clocks up the close season airmiles.  Directly the county season ended, Albert headed off for a third winter stint in Western Australia, where he plays for Joondalup. After a few matches in Perth, he boarded a return Emirates flight back to the UK enroute to join up with his Hampshire team-mates in Guyana.  Now he's back in Perth again and is 15* overnight against Willetton, who posted 248 all out.

Sparsholt's delightful tree-lined cricket ground in Locks Lane, named in memory of the late Norman Edwards, its curator for many years, is the Southern Premier League's recreational Ground of the Year.
It is the first time the George Winkles Memorial Trophy, initiated in 2000, has been awarded to a fourth tier SPL club.
Supervised by head groundsman Lee Padwick, Sparsholt received an overall mark of 53 (out of 60), with the Locks Lane square being marked 30.29 (out of 40) and the outfield 18.83 (20).
Delighted Sparsholt chairman Andy Worth said: "It’s great to achieve one of the club's long term aims to become the top ground in the SPL and it’s great to see both umpires and visiting captains mark it highly. 
"We’ve focused a lot of our funds on the ground and equipment over the last seven years. Through the dedication of Lee Padwick and Rich Edwards [pictured] this award is testament to their efforts and passion for making Sparsholt one of the best places in the South to play club cricket."
On the field itself, Sparsholt improved considerably on their performances in the two previous years when the club suffered a spate of relegations.
They first team challenged for a Division 3 promotion spot for much of the season, eventually finishing fourth behind champions Trojans and Fawley. 

Past Portsmouth all-rounder Fraser Hay [pictured] shared a century mid-innings recovery as South Perth held up Jack Mynott's bid for a Fremantle victory in the WACA Premiership at Richardson Park.
Hitting a six and 11 fours, Hay made 69 as South Perth recovered from an uncertain start to post 283 - still 50 runs behind Fremantle's 333-9 made on day one.  Despite shining in the previous match, Mynott dropped to eight in the Freo' order, Perth Scorchers duo Sam Whiteman (who made 100) and one-time Chichester Priory Park Ashton Turner being available for the round 7 match.  Mynott went wicketless, bowling 12 overs for 35 runs.
Australian Grade cricket was badly hit by bad weather, a stack of matches in the Eastern States being rained out.

Fair Oak's cricketers have been given the go-ahead to play in the second tier of the Southern Premier League next summer - the highest level in which the club has ever competed.
By snatching the Division 2 runners-up spot in a dramatic finale to the past season, Oaks earned an improbable promotion, a remarkable achievement for a team that lost five of its opening six matches.
In total contrast to their woeful start, Fair Oak won their last seven games with a nail biting victory at New Milton on the final day of the season propelling them into second place by just 0.15 of a point after promotion rivals Langley Manor and Portsmouth & Southsea both lost.
Oaks will join runaway champions Hambledon in Division 1 next May and will rub shoulders with the likes of Havant, Hook & Newnham Basics, OTs & Romsey, Sarisbury Athletic and Ventnor on a totally new look fixture list.
Promotion has climaxed exciting times for Fair Oak, whose ground at Lapstone Park is under-going a total revamp, with a brand new square being laid in front of the 1998-built pavilion, which will become fully operational. 
Work has been underway for some time on the project which will see two cricket squares at the ground, alongside a two-lane net practice facility, and a new pitch-side pavilion for the second square, which Oaks first and second teams have been using.
The project has been funded by Eastleigh Borough Council, with the full support of Fair Oak Parish Council and endorsed by the ECB Facilities Team.

The Hampshire Cricket Society will welcome former Middlesex county cricketer Simon Hughes to its sell-out Annual Lunch at the Romsey Golf Club on Wednesday. 
Since he retired in 1993, he has become possibly even more well known in many other fields connected with the game: journalist for The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times, television punditry, which incorporated his famed role as The Analyst, examining various aspects of players’ techniques whilst test matches were in progress, editor of The Cricketer for seven years, and author of ten books – including the award winning A Lot of Hard Yakka and Yakking Around The World, both of which humorously and occasionally outrageously, described his and others’ experiences during and between seasons. 
In recent years, he has become a notable blogger with his incisive views on the contemporary game; in this field he has reinforced his great imagination and enthusiasm. 
Annie Chave, editor of County Cricket Matters, will be the guest speaker at Dorset's weekly gathering at the Hurn Bridge Social Club on Thursday, 1.45pm

Don't forget Tuesday night's cricket evening at Newclose on the Isle of Wight, when retiring Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove and journalist Ivo Tennant of the Times of London will be speaking about Hampshire Cricket’s amazing transformation over the past 25 years and Ivo’s book ‘Back From The Brink’ tells that story.
Much has happened since the book was published, and to bring you up to date 2024 has been a particularly eventful year for Hampshire Cricket. It was only three two months ago that the club ended a successful County Championship season as runners-up to Surrey. A young side has also just returned from Guyana after participating in the Global Super League.   It's a 7.15pm start and a few seats remain.

​A superb evening well supported by the Island's cricket folk.

​Hursley Park cricket has been saddened by the death of Bryan Loveridge, aged 85 years, a real stalwart on and off the field at The Quarters.
Bryan was in the twilight of his career when he joined from the  Bristol club Thornbury, but was an exceptionally good seam bowler playing in the club's Hampshire League championship winning sides. 
He bowled an economical spell of 2-24 against Welsh winners Marchwiel in the 1984 National Village Cup final at Lords.
"His ability as a bowler was exceptional as he knew what he was going to bowl, He must have been more than useful for Thornbury," reflected long-time clubmate and past captain Chris Westbrook.
"His experience was very useful to me as captain at the time and therefore he was a great asset to the team for his knowledge of the game too.  He also played for the Hampshire Seniors side into his fifties."
Post playing, Bryan continued to support the club as a past Chairman and a junior coach. He  worked tirelessly as part of the  volunteer Hursley Park crew,  willingly turning his hand to most tasks,  until three years ago when, into his eighties, failing health forced him to give up.
Bryan Loveridge also played rugby, finishing his career at that sport with the Romsey Royal Tobies.  
"A sad loss as a good friend and to the club," Westbrook added.
The funeral is at the Test Valley Romsey Crematorium on Thursday 19 December 2024 at 12 noon and afterwards at the Romsey Golf Club.

​Hambledon, back in the second tier of Southern Premier League cricket after this past summer's Division 2 championship success, are planning for 2025 and have arranged pre-season friendlies against Calmore Sports and Sparsholt at Ridge Meadow on Saturdays 19 and 26 April. 

​Newly promoted Portsmouth have re-signed Mohammad Ashraful to head up next season's ECB Southern Premier Division challenge.
Following a stellar debut season in Portsmouth colours, the former Bangladesh Test captain racked up nearly 761 league runs, including 115 at Waterlooville  and six half-centuries.
Portsmouth took the Division 1 title by a seven-point margin from runners-up Sarisbury Athletic.
If your club has any 'winter news' (new signings, etc.) for this website, please email [email protected] 

​Seventeen year old Finn Gordon has celebrated a run strewn summer by being named ECB Southern Premier League and Dorset Young Cricketer of Year.
The talented left-hand opening batsman played a lead role in the Hampshire Academy's maiden Premier League championship triumph, scoring 651 runs, including four fifties and hitting 128  against Bashley (Rydal)(128) and later taking 105 off the St Cross Symondians bowling attack.
For good measure, his developing spin bowling was rewarded with 18 league wickets.
Gordon, whose elder brother Jacob scored over 600 runs for Bashley (Rydal), also made his mark for Dorset in the National Counties Championships - a top score of 123 against Wales NC at Ebbw Vale in August.
Finn's aggregate 302 runs in six knocks for Dorset took his season's tally to 1,439 in competitive cricket.  He hit three hundreds and nine half-centuries.
He also played regularly for Hampshire Second XI and in August was selected to play in the prestigious ECB Under-18 Elite Player Development regional tournament at Loughborough.