 |  Left, George Metzger hit an important 45 and shared a key stand with James Regan (35) in the Academy's run chase. Right: Tom Prest's spin bowling brought a 4-32 return. |
Hampshire’s Academy side is eyeing a fourth place ECB Southern Premier Division finish after snatching a two-wicket win over Bournemouth with four balls of a rain affected match at Chapel Gate remaining.
Put in, the Lions posted a modest 203-8 from their 50 overs. The Academy chased down 196 to win from 46 overs, with Oli Southon smacking the second ball of Tom Robinson’s final over to the boundary.
Scott Currie took two early wickets before Luke Webb (31) steadied the Lions. Off-spinner Tom Prest, who finished with 4-31, removed both Webb and Luke Matthews (21) before Currie returned to bowl Simon Woodruff (29).
The Dorset raised Academy pair – Currie (younger brother of Bashley Rydal’s Bradley) hails from Poole and Prest from Canford – reduced Bournemouth to 135-7 before Chris Park (29) and Robbie Pack (26) provided the innings with late impetus.
After the early loss of Tom South, Prest (22) and Fletcha Middleton (30) eased the Academy to 54-2 before Ed Denham (4-37) created uncertainty at 69-4.
Fifth-wicket pair George Metzger (45) and James Regan (35) added a vital 81 before the Academy lost three wickets for six runs and dropped to 156-7.
The county youngsters always looked as though they would get across the line once Mo Abbas and Southon came together, but it took them until the final over before Southon, who hit a match winning 26 not out, secured the win.
The Academy are now only nine points behind fourth-placed Lymington with three matches to play.
Put in, the Lions posted a modest 203-8 from their 50 overs. The Academy chased down 196 to win from 46 overs, with Oli Southon smacking the second ball of Tom Robinson’s final over to the boundary.
Scott Currie took two early wickets before Luke Webb (31) steadied the Lions. Off-spinner Tom Prest, who finished with 4-31, removed both Webb and Luke Matthews (21) before Currie returned to bowl Simon Woodruff (29).
The Dorset raised Academy pair – Currie (younger brother of Bashley Rydal’s Bradley) hails from Poole and Prest from Canford – reduced Bournemouth to 135-7 before Chris Park (29) and Robbie Pack (26) provided the innings with late impetus.
After the early loss of Tom South, Prest (22) and Fletcha Middleton (30) eased the Academy to 54-2 before Ed Denham (4-37) created uncertainty at 69-4.
Fifth-wicket pair George Metzger (45) and James Regan (35) added a vital 81 before the Academy lost three wickets for six runs and dropped to 156-7.
The county youngsters always looked as though they would get across the line once Mo Abbas and Southon came together, but it took them until the final over before Southon, who hit a match winning 26 not out, secured the win.
The Academy are now only nine points behind fourth-placed Lymington with three matches to play.
