Happy days ! South Wilts celebrate the 2021 Southern Premier League championship.
The 2022 ECB Southern Premier League season is set for a blockbuster launch with champions South Wilts hosting runners-up St Cross Symondians in the opening round of fixtures at Bemerton on May 7.
South Wilts completed the double over their arch Winchester rivals this summer, emerging victorious after two compelling matches. St Cross were league champions in 2019.
Spearheaded by a league best 6-40 return by Matt Burton, South Wilts looked as though they would steamroller St Cross when, responding to 203 all out, Symondians sank to 84-9 – only to be revived by a remarkable century tenth-wicket partnership between Ed Ellis and Matt Haworth, which narrowed the visitors’ margin of victory to a mere 12 runs. St Cross Symondians were eventually 191 all out.
The return match at Bemerton in early August, typically affected by rain, was also in the balance, South Wilts winning by three wickets having slipped to 133-6 chasing an adjusted 165-7 run target.
May 7 is the first of four initial rounds of 50-over 'white ball' cricket in which South Wilts will entertain Hook & Newnham Basics in between visits to Lymington and Bournemouth. St Cross entertain promoted Totton & Eling on May 14 before playing Havant and Burridge.
Round 1 also throws up a tasty early season New Forest derby between Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington at the BCG, while Hook & Newnham Basics make the long haul to Bournemouth, the Hampshire Academy receive Havant, and Burridge go to Southern Gardens to play Division 1 winners Totton & Eling.
Nine rounds of all-day 'time' cricket are inked in to start on June 4, with South Wilts hosting Bashley (Rydal). 50-over matches resume on August 6.
* South Wilts' club captain James Hayward has received the perfect Christmas present with the arrival of a baby daughter. Another boost for the club's growing girls' section !
South Wilts completed the double over their arch Winchester rivals this summer, emerging victorious after two compelling matches. St Cross were league champions in 2019.
Spearheaded by a league best 6-40 return by Matt Burton, South Wilts looked as though they would steamroller St Cross when, responding to 203 all out, Symondians sank to 84-9 – only to be revived by a remarkable century tenth-wicket partnership between Ed Ellis and Matt Haworth, which narrowed the visitors’ margin of victory to a mere 12 runs. St Cross Symondians were eventually 191 all out.
The return match at Bemerton in early August, typically affected by rain, was also in the balance, South Wilts winning by three wickets having slipped to 133-6 chasing an adjusted 165-7 run target.
May 7 is the first of four initial rounds of 50-over 'white ball' cricket in which South Wilts will entertain Hook & Newnham Basics in between visits to Lymington and Bournemouth. St Cross entertain promoted Totton & Eling on May 14 before playing Havant and Burridge.
Round 1 also throws up a tasty early season New Forest derby between Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington at the BCG, while Hook & Newnham Basics make the long haul to Bournemouth, the Hampshire Academy receive Havant, and Burridge go to Southern Gardens to play Division 1 winners Totton & Eling.
Nine rounds of all-day 'time' cricket are inked in to start on June 4, with South Wilts hosting Bashley (Rydal). 50-over matches resume on August 6.
* South Wilts' club captain James Hayward has received the perfect Christmas present with the arrival of a baby daughter. Another boost for the club's growing girls' section !
