Assad Abbas 50 (36 in boundaries) for Portsmouth [Neil Smith]
Former Fair Oak all-rounder Assad Abbas lashed a run-a-ball 50 to help Portsmouth reach 223-9 from an uncertain 146-5 (Jack Marston 32) against newly promoted Southern Premier Division 1 rivals Hartley Wintney on Southsea seafront.
At that point skipper Marston admitted he felt the game was in the balance.
“I thought at that stage the game could go either way,” he said.
“Asad came in and whacked the ball to all parts. He batted really well hitting their spinners hard down the ground. His batting gave our innings an important impetus.
“ Prad Baines also did well to stick with him and contribute a vital unbeaten 21 runs at the end and by tea I felt we had a good competitive score.”
When the visitors replied former Hambledon man Baines grabbed a couple of early wickets.
Brothers Will (31) and Mark Kerr (32) steadied the ship, but the key moment came with Hartley Wintney on 136-5 and Scott Baldwin (38) going well.
Abbas was again involved though he needed a little bit of good fortune. He got his finger to the ball and diverted onto the stumps to dismiss the Kiwi who was backing up.
“It was getting a bit close,' said Marston. “Though the opposition needed 28 off the last four overs we kept taking wickets.
Former Portchester captain Paul Hungerford went into the attack and relieved the pressure with two wickets in his first over.
Opener Steve Smith fought a lone vigil to keep promoted Old Tauntonians & Romsey afloat against Hook & Newnham Basics at the KGV.
He made 47 and was ninth out as OTs could only muster 124 (35 extras) after Ben Peart (4-29) had made significant inroads.
Hook slipped to 44-3 before Matt Buckingham (33) and Matt Love (33) came together to turn the tide in Basics’ favour.
Sarisbury Athletic successfully defended a modest total of 134 with a 75-run win over Liphook & Ripsley on an Allotment Road strip which gave assistance to the seamers all afternoon.
Put into bat, Sarisbury had to thank Guernseyman Tom Nightingale for his assured 50 which was the major difference between the sides, indeed the only significant innings on show.
Liphook's seamers, led by fit again Sean Burton (5-10), were all in form, with left-armer Jack Campbell taking 2-25 and Ryan Covey 2-28 against his previous club.
As the home innings ended, debutant Sam Franks (hamstring) was injured in the field, unable to continue.
His place in the Liphook line up was sorely missed as his team mates were skittled for a paltry 58 in only 21 overs.
Again the seamers did the damage, with Andrew Ireland (3-16), Phil Jewell (3-8) and Jordan Wright (2-16) taking a lion's share of the wickets.
At that point skipper Marston admitted he felt the game was in the balance.
“I thought at that stage the game could go either way,” he said.
“Asad came in and whacked the ball to all parts. He batted really well hitting their spinners hard down the ground. His batting gave our innings an important impetus.
“ Prad Baines also did well to stick with him and contribute a vital unbeaten 21 runs at the end and by tea I felt we had a good competitive score.”
When the visitors replied former Hambledon man Baines grabbed a couple of early wickets.
Brothers Will (31) and Mark Kerr (32) steadied the ship, but the key moment came with Hartley Wintney on 136-5 and Scott Baldwin (38) going well.
Abbas was again involved though he needed a little bit of good fortune. He got his finger to the ball and diverted onto the stumps to dismiss the Kiwi who was backing up.
“It was getting a bit close,' said Marston. “Though the opposition needed 28 off the last four overs we kept taking wickets.
Former Portchester captain Paul Hungerford went into the attack and relieved the pressure with two wickets in his first over.
Opener Steve Smith fought a lone vigil to keep promoted Old Tauntonians & Romsey afloat against Hook & Newnham Basics at the KGV.
He made 47 and was ninth out as OTs could only muster 124 (35 extras) after Ben Peart (4-29) had made significant inroads.
Hook slipped to 44-3 before Matt Buckingham (33) and Matt Love (33) came together to turn the tide in Basics’ favour.
Sarisbury Athletic successfully defended a modest total of 134 with a 75-run win over Liphook & Ripsley on an Allotment Road strip which gave assistance to the seamers all afternoon.
Put into bat, Sarisbury had to thank Guernseyman Tom Nightingale for his assured 50 which was the major difference between the sides, indeed the only significant innings on show.
Liphook's seamers, led by fit again Sean Burton (5-10), were all in form, with left-armer Jack Campbell taking 2-25 and Ryan Covey 2-28 against his previous club.
As the home innings ended, debutant Sam Franks (hamstring) was injured in the field, unable to continue.
His place in the Liphook line up was sorely missed as his team mates were skittled for a paltry 58 in only 21 overs.
Again the seamers did the damage, with Andrew Ireland (3-16), Phil Jewell (3-8) and Jordan Wright (2-16) taking a lion's share of the wickets.
