Jez Bulled [Terry Nash] Hampshire Academy were bowled off the top of the ECB Southern Premier League summit when defending champions Havant beat them – but the county youngsters battled tooth and tail before conceding a two-wicket defeat.
Defending a modest 155, they reduced Havant to 142-8 before wicketkeeper Jez Bulled used his experience to get the double title winners across the line with an unbeaten 35.
Skipper Felix Organ (41) eased the Academy to 74-1 leaving Tom Scriven (41) to guide the visitors on to a comfortable 144-3.
But the England Under-19 all-rounder’s dismissal triggered a massive collapse, with five wickets falling for just four runs and the side toppling to 155 all out.
The last seven wickets fell for 11 runs, with left-arm spinner Graham Burns (5-43) and Richard Hindley (3-17) creating mayhem.
Sonny Reynolds (2-17) removed openers Stu Ransley (18) and Peter Hopson (24) to leave Havant 51-2.
Andy Gorvin (28) made an important contribution, but Mo Abbas (3-48) continued to chip away with his left-arm spin and at 105-6 the outcome was in the balance.
But Bulled has been in these situations many times before and added 33 with Cam Prentice (15) before Organ (2-26) stirred the pot by taking two late wickets.
The Academy were unable to break through again as Bulled struck five boundaries in a match winning 35 not out to inch Havant home.
Defending a modest 155, they reduced Havant to 142-8 before wicketkeeper Jez Bulled used his experience to get the double title winners across the line with an unbeaten 35.
Skipper Felix Organ (41) eased the Academy to 74-1 leaving Tom Scriven (41) to guide the visitors on to a comfortable 144-3.
But the England Under-19 all-rounder’s dismissal triggered a massive collapse, with five wickets falling for just four runs and the side toppling to 155 all out.
The last seven wickets fell for 11 runs, with left-arm spinner Graham Burns (5-43) and Richard Hindley (3-17) creating mayhem.
Sonny Reynolds (2-17) removed openers Stu Ransley (18) and Peter Hopson (24) to leave Havant 51-2.
Andy Gorvin (28) made an important contribution, but Mo Abbas (3-48) continued to chip away with his left-arm spin and at 105-6 the outcome was in the balance.
But Bulled has been in these situations many times before and added 33 with Cam Prentice (15) before Organ (2-26) stirred the pot by taking two late wickets.
The Academy were unable to break through again as Bulled struck five boundaries in a match winning 35 not out to inch Havant home.
