Brad Taylor hit 105* to steer St Cross Symondians to a dramatic one-wicket win [James Robinson]
Hampshire’s Brad Taylor struck an undefeated century to guide St Cross Symondians to a one-wicket win off the penultimate ball of a nail biting ECB Southern Premier Division curtain raiser against Bournemouth at the Green Jackets Ground.
He hit 16 runs off Ollie Breckon’s final over to clinch a victory that appeared unlikely when St Cross dropped to 107-5 chasing down Bournemouth’s competitive 232-9.
Taylor, whose hundred contained nine four and a six, and Jack Bransgrove (38) steadily rebuilt the St Cross innings with a sixth wicket stand of 94, but when Jake Hurley (2-55) picked up a return catch to dismiss Bransgrove, the hosts wobbled.
What should have been a gentle stroll became a jittery stagger – 201-5 becoming 209-9 very quickly, courtesy of two run outs and stand-in skipper Simon Beetham holing out to Luke Matthews in the deep.
The pressure was effectively on Taylor to score 24 off 19 balls – and for last man Alex Woolvine to ensure the Hampshire man kept the strike and didn’t run himself out !
St Cross needed 13 to win off Breckon’s final over – Taylor striking 2,4,2 and another boundary to bring up his century and level the scores.
He drilled the penultimate ball of the match through the covers to win it for his new club.
He hit 16 runs off Ollie Breckon’s final over to clinch a victory that appeared unlikely when St Cross dropped to 107-5 chasing down Bournemouth’s competitive 232-9.
Taylor, whose hundred contained nine four and a six, and Jack Bransgrove (38) steadily rebuilt the St Cross innings with a sixth wicket stand of 94, but when Jake Hurley (2-55) picked up a return catch to dismiss Bransgrove, the hosts wobbled.
What should have been a gentle stroll became a jittery stagger – 201-5 becoming 209-9 very quickly, courtesy of two run outs and stand-in skipper Simon Beetham holing out to Luke Matthews in the deep.
The pressure was effectively on Taylor to score 24 off 19 balls – and for last man Alex Woolvine to ensure the Hampshire man kept the strike and didn’t run himself out !
St Cross needed 13 to win off Breckon’s final over – Taylor striking 2,4,2 and another boundary to bring up his century and level the scores.
He drilled the penultimate ball of the match through the covers to win it for his new club.
 Bournemouth's Adam Davies stumps Harry Came.... |  ... then Harry Foyle. James Robinson pictures. |
Earlier, opener Felix Organ made 39, with Adam Davies [above] taking smart stumpings to remove Harry Came (28) and Harry Foyle. Dan Conway and Rob Pack each took two wickets.
Bournemouth’s total of 232-9 was a steady accumulation though after a sound start involving left-hander Sam Collins, Nick Park (33) and Luke Webb (29) their innings was at a potential crossroads at 114-4.
Luke Matthews (40) steadied the ship, while some lusty blows from Jake Hurley made 29 (six fours) and Robbie Pack, who launched three huge on-side sixes in making 26, they posted a competitive score.
Bournemouth’s total of 232-9 was a steady accumulation though after a sound start involving left-hander Sam Collins, Nick Park (33) and Luke Webb (29) their innings was at a potential crossroads at 114-4.
Luke Matthews (40) steadied the ship, while some lusty blows from Jake Hurley made 29 (six fours) and Robbie Pack, who launched three huge on-side sixes in making 26, they posted a competitive score.
 Sam Collins oozes class ... |  ... Luke Matthews top scored with 40. |
