Langley Manor's James Purnell nicks one into the ultra-safe fingers of Sparsholt slip fielder Michael Haworth [Bob Selley]
There’s no stopping Sparsholt on their relentless march towards the Southern Premier League Division Two title.
The five-wicket win over Langley Manor was their 11th in a row and took them 32 points clear of Rowledge at the top.
“I must admit it’s looking pretty good, but there are still 110 points to play for in the last five matches, so there’s a lot of work to be done yet,” warned skipper Jerry Frith, whose 91 proved a match winner against the Manor.
“We got St Cross Symondians II away on Saturday and they are eyeing a second place finish. That will be hard.”
Sparsholt had to work hard for a breakthrough at the Norman Edwards Ground, where Conor Browne (37) and Tommy Spencer (33) shared an 82-run start.
But once Liam Doran (3-28) broke the mould, Langley Manor collapsed, wickets falling at regular intervals, none of the remaining batsmen mustering 20.
Nick Doubell and Frith conceded barely 50 runs in their 20 overs as Langley reached 224 all out.
Captain Frith lost two early partners, but his 16-boundary 91 (which took his tally for the season to 667) and an 84-run stand with Dave Banks (52 not out) whistled Sparsholt home with seven overs to spare.
Rowledge secured second place – and a potential promotion position as runners-up – with a comprehensive 112-run win over visiting Waterlooville.
Ricky Yates (80) marked his return in style as Rowledge posted 195 before left-arm quick Jake Wish got amongst the Ville batsmen with a 5-12 return.
St Cross Symondians II lurk in third place after recovering from an indifferent start to chase down Trojans’ 175 all out and win by seven wickets.
After losing their first three wickets for eight runs, St Cross were on the back foot, but Paul Hawkins (72 not out) and Jack Middleton (66 not out) turned things around with an unbroken 168-run stand.
Earlier, Jamie Cork (4-24) and Matt Perry-Lewis (3-41) reduced Trojans from 105-3 (Dan Babidge 37) to 175 all out.
The five-wicket win over Langley Manor was their 11th in a row and took them 32 points clear of Rowledge at the top.
“I must admit it’s looking pretty good, but there are still 110 points to play for in the last five matches, so there’s a lot of work to be done yet,” warned skipper Jerry Frith, whose 91 proved a match winner against the Manor.
“We got St Cross Symondians II away on Saturday and they are eyeing a second place finish. That will be hard.”
Sparsholt had to work hard for a breakthrough at the Norman Edwards Ground, where Conor Browne (37) and Tommy Spencer (33) shared an 82-run start.
But once Liam Doran (3-28) broke the mould, Langley Manor collapsed, wickets falling at regular intervals, none of the remaining batsmen mustering 20.
Nick Doubell and Frith conceded barely 50 runs in their 20 overs as Langley reached 224 all out.
Captain Frith lost two early partners, but his 16-boundary 91 (which took his tally for the season to 667) and an 84-run stand with Dave Banks (52 not out) whistled Sparsholt home with seven overs to spare.
Rowledge secured second place – and a potential promotion position as runners-up – with a comprehensive 112-run win over visiting Waterlooville.
Ricky Yates (80) marked his return in style as Rowledge posted 195 before left-arm quick Jake Wish got amongst the Ville batsmen with a 5-12 return.
St Cross Symondians II lurk in third place after recovering from an indifferent start to chase down Trojans’ 175 all out and win by seven wickets.
After losing their first three wickets for eight runs, St Cross were on the back foot, but Paul Hawkins (72 not out) and Jack Middleton (66 not out) turned things around with an unbroken 168-run stand.
Earlier, Jamie Cork (4-24) and Matt Perry-Lewis (3-41) reduced Trojans from 105-3 (Dan Babidge 37) to 175 all out.
Langley Manor wicketkeeper Conor Browne successfully appeals for a leg before shout against Sparsholt's Stuart Taylor : Bob Selley.
