Hambledon's South African spin all-rounder Justin Behrens produced a stunning individual performance against Sway to take his side to within three points of promotion and 11 of the Southern Premier League Division 2 title itself
He made 100 of Hambledon's 271-6 before mowing down Sway with a 5-25 return to catapult himself to the top of the SPL2 bowling charts with 30 wickets.
Sparkling with the ball is nothing new for Behrens, who finished top of the wicket taking stakes in Cape Town's Western Province Premier League last winter, having been second in 2022/23.. No surprise he won this website's SPL Cricketer of the Week award !
Behrens, left, scored his second Hambledon hundred (he made 118 v Ventnor last season) after Hugh Bernard (3-48) had made two early breakthroughs. Behrens, with 13 fours, then shared a flowing 132-run partnership with Chris Pratt (52) as the Dons posted an overwhelming 271-6. Spencer Le Clercq (25) and Dan Mugford (30) were both not out.
Opener Jake Smith hit a brief breezy 21 after which came a procession of Sway batsmen. Bernard (48) attempted to steady the ship until caught by fading Norway star Henry Glanfield (but he still has the colourful tracksuit) off Behrens. Thereafter no one managed double figures, Behrens whittling 5-25: Sway a sad 135. It was his third five-for in Hambledon's colours.
Hambledon will expect to clinch promotion at New Milton on Saturday, but appreciate winning at Fernhill will be far from straight-forward.
He made 100 of Hambledon's 271-6 before mowing down Sway with a 5-25 return to catapult himself to the top of the SPL2 bowling charts with 30 wickets.
Sparkling with the ball is nothing new for Behrens, who finished top of the wicket taking stakes in Cape Town's Western Province Premier League last winter, having been second in 2022/23.. No surprise he won this website's SPL Cricketer of the Week award !
Behrens, left, scored his second Hambledon hundred (he made 118 v Ventnor last season) after Hugh Bernard (3-48) had made two early breakthroughs. Behrens, with 13 fours, then shared a flowing 132-run partnership with Chris Pratt (52) as the Dons posted an overwhelming 271-6. Spencer Le Clercq (25) and Dan Mugford (30) were both not out.
Opener Jake Smith hit a brief breezy 21 after which came a procession of Sway batsmen. Bernard (48) attempted to steady the ship until caught by fading Norway star Henry Glanfield (but he still has the colourful tracksuit) off Behrens. Thereafter no one managed double figures, Behrens whittling 5-25: Sway a sad 135. It was his third five-for in Hambledon's colours.
Hambledon will expect to clinch promotion at New Milton on Saturday, but appreciate winning at Fernhill will be far from straight-forward.
