Adam Freeman was the all-round hero of Fawley’s bizarre three-wicket win over promotion chasing Southern Premier League Division 3 rivals Purbrook at Holbury, where 17 wickets fell for only 136 runs.
Shell shocked by Freeman’s new-ball spell of 3-26, Purbrook were skittled for a meagre 66.
But they hit back with Josh McCoy (6-47) having Fawley reeling at 14-5 before left-armer Freeman reappeared with the bat to hit a priceless 27 and guide his side to an astonishing victory.
The result has lifted Fawley 16 points clear of the drop zone, but weakened Purbrook’s prospects of finishing runners-up behind champions Fair Oak.
They must now beat South Wilts II in a ‘winner take all’ showdown for second place at Bemerton on Saturday.
Only three Purbrook batsmen reached double figures as Wayne Smith (3-3) and Sufian Munir (3-19) backed up Freeman’s opening spell.
But with half the Fawley batsmen back in the pavilion and only 14 runs on the board, Purbrook looked capable of defending their 66.
Munir (17) doubled the score before becoming McCoy’s sixth victim and a fourth for wicketkeeper Josh Young.
But from 31-6, Fawley pulled themselves round, with Freeman’s 27 not out not only turning the game on its head, but probably ensuring the oilmen safety. The match was all done and dusted inside 39 overs.
Purbrook’s unexpected defeat has left the door ajar for South Wilts II, even though the Bemerton club lost by 23 runs at mid-table Hambledon.
In-form Norway prospect Henry Glanfield (71) and PGS batsman Alex Willoughby (65) piloted Hambledon to 244-6, but South Wilts dropped to 113-5 (Tom Berzins 31) before Tom Pearce (62), James Wade (35) and Sam Pittman (24) took their reply to 221-7 by stumps.
Jack Davies (left) took over the mantle of leading SPL3 run scorer when he hit 100 – his third century of the season – in Portsmouth & Southsea’s 56-run win at Bashley (Rydal) II.
Matt Benfield (58) and Jack Peach (48) helped P & S on to 249-9, before Chris Turrell (3-33) had Bash rocking at 13-3.
Chris Vaughan (70) and veteran Graham Pardey (38) lifted Bashley’s final score to 193.
Shell shocked by Freeman’s new-ball spell of 3-26, Purbrook were skittled for a meagre 66.
But they hit back with Josh McCoy (6-47) having Fawley reeling at 14-5 before left-armer Freeman reappeared with the bat to hit a priceless 27 and guide his side to an astonishing victory.
The result has lifted Fawley 16 points clear of the drop zone, but weakened Purbrook’s prospects of finishing runners-up behind champions Fair Oak.
They must now beat South Wilts II in a ‘winner take all’ showdown for second place at Bemerton on Saturday.
Only three Purbrook batsmen reached double figures as Wayne Smith (3-3) and Sufian Munir (3-19) backed up Freeman’s opening spell.
But with half the Fawley batsmen back in the pavilion and only 14 runs on the board, Purbrook looked capable of defending their 66.
Munir (17) doubled the score before becoming McCoy’s sixth victim and a fourth for wicketkeeper Josh Young.
But from 31-6, Fawley pulled themselves round, with Freeman’s 27 not out not only turning the game on its head, but probably ensuring the oilmen safety. The match was all done and dusted inside 39 overs.
Purbrook’s unexpected defeat has left the door ajar for South Wilts II, even though the Bemerton club lost by 23 runs at mid-table Hambledon.
In-form Norway prospect Henry Glanfield (71) and PGS batsman Alex Willoughby (65) piloted Hambledon to 244-6, but South Wilts dropped to 113-5 (Tom Berzins 31) before Tom Pearce (62), James Wade (35) and Sam Pittman (24) took their reply to 221-7 by stumps.
Jack Davies (left) took over the mantle of leading SPL3 run scorer when he hit 100 – his third century of the season – in Portsmouth & Southsea’s 56-run win at Bashley (Rydal) II.
Matt Benfield (58) and Jack Peach (48) helped P & S on to 249-9, before Chris Turrell (3-33) had Bash rocking at 13-3.
Chris Vaughan (70) and veteran Graham Pardey (38) lifted Bashley’s final score to 193.
- Jack Davies picture by Neil Marshall.
