Ben Johns has given Calmore Sports a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation from Southern Premier Division 1 with a second consecutive match winning performance.
He followed up his award winning unbeaten century at Rowledge with an innings of 99 which underpinned Calmore's 11-run victory over Old Tauntonians & Romsey and lifted the Loperwood Park club off bottom spot.
There's still a 24-point gap between Calmore and third-from-bottom Waterlooville, but if Johns can lead his side to a third successive win at Andover on Saturday and the Ville are beaten at champions elect Portsmouth that deficit could be reduced significantly.
But there are just two snags. Calmore's last two games are against Portsmouth and Sarisbury Athletic ...
Johns, who struck 12 fours and two sixes before being trapped leg before by Harry Tulk, shared a century stand Aussie Chris Distin, who made a long overdue 60 before Joe Butcher chipped in with a timely 27 not out.
Calmore's 219-5 was under threat when Charlie King (60) and Joe Vaughan (51) responded with a 109-run OTR start, but the Loperwood spinners created inroads, with Mark Lavelle (4-39), Ben Perry and Liam Carty taking wickets. Rob Newman (34) broke the mould but his dismissal was crucial. OTR finished 208-9.
He followed up his award winning unbeaten century at Rowledge with an innings of 99 which underpinned Calmore's 11-run victory over Old Tauntonians & Romsey and lifted the Loperwood Park club off bottom spot.
There's still a 24-point gap between Calmore and third-from-bottom Waterlooville, but if Johns can lead his side to a third successive win at Andover on Saturday and the Ville are beaten at champions elect Portsmouth that deficit could be reduced significantly.
But there are just two snags. Calmore's last two games are against Portsmouth and Sarisbury Athletic ...
Johns, who struck 12 fours and two sixes before being trapped leg before by Harry Tulk, shared a century stand Aussie Chris Distin, who made a long overdue 60 before Joe Butcher chipped in with a timely 27 not out.
Calmore's 219-5 was under threat when Charlie King (60) and Joe Vaughan (51) responded with a 109-run OTR start, but the Loperwood spinners created inroads, with Mark Lavelle (4-39), Ben Perry and Liam Carty taking wickets. Rob Newman (34) broke the mould but his dismissal was crucial. OTR finished 208-9.
Charlie King & Joe Vaughan (Romsey Advertiser]
Waterlooville's 86-run win over Andover virtually spells relegation for the London Road club, a remarkable situation bearing in mind they were runners-up to Basingstoke & North Hants last season.
Ville made 187-9 (Jon Hudson 34) and dismissed the Lions for a meagre 101 (Harri Williams 26), with Alex Shephard and Ashan Silva shared six wickets.
Ville made 187-9 (Jon Hudson 34) and dismissed the Lions for a meagre 101 (Harri Williams 26), with Alex Shephard and Ashan Silva shared six wickets.
Third placed Totton & Eling recovered from 24-3 and later 81-6 to post 200 and go on to beat Rowledge by 34 runs at Southern Gardens.
Rajat Palma (25) and James Taylor (23) aided to initial recovery but Josh May (44) was the principal player against spin duo David Lloyd (3-30) and Max Martin (3-37).
Boswell Chapangu's spell of 5-17 had Rowledge rocking at 85-7 before the young and old pairing of evergreen David Lloyd (37) and teen Bertie Chilcott (27) produced a 58-run stand. Alas, the pair both departed one run later. Rowledge were 166 all out.
Rajat Palma (25) and James Taylor (23) aided to initial recovery but Josh May (44) was the principal player against spin duo David Lloyd (3-30) and Max Martin (3-37).
Boswell Chapangu's spell of 5-17 had Rowledge rocking at 85-7 before the young and old pairing of evergreen David Lloyd (37) and teen Bertie Chilcott (27) produced a 58-run stand. Alas, the pair both departed one run later. Rowledge were 166 all out.
