Bob Selley's camera spots Manor Conor Browne (light blue lid) being bowled by Jeremy Frith.
 Graham Noble | Sparsholt lost seven wickets for 27 runs but found the 186 they already had in the bank was sufficient to secure a 33-run victory over Southern Premier League Division 2 rivals Langley Manor at Knellers Lane. They appeared in cruise mode at 159-3, but when the 87-run fourth wicket partnership between David Banks (64) and Lewis Mitchard (26) was broken, Sparsholt fell apart. Graham Noble was the architect of Sparsholt’s demise, clinging on to four catches amid an innings wrecking spell of 5-29. Ollie Knight (2-8) eventually had Banks caught, but Sparsholt had 174-8 on the board by then. Langley Manor began confidently through Conor Browne (27) and Tommy Spencer, but when Jerry Frith (3-17) bowled the left-hander at 42-1, proceedings took a dramatic twist. Three wickets in quick succession by former Hook & Newnham Basics teenage off-spinner Liam Doran (3-22) quickly reduced the Manor to 48-4. Spencer (48) and Noble (31) put Langley back in the match with a 59-run stand but once they fell Sparsholt moved in for the kill. Langley Manor were 153 all out. The victory eased Sparsholt into third place in Premier Two behind Basingstoke & North Hants and St Cross Symondians' second teams. They host St Cross II at the Norman Edwards Ground on Saturday, while Langley Manor, in mid-table, travel east to play Waterlooville at Rowlands Avenue. |
