Charlie Gwynn in full flight [Dave Vokes]
Skipper Charlie Gwynn played the decisive role with the ball as Fair Oak achieved their second Division 2 win, by 22 runs, in a low-scoring match against Liphook & Ripsley at Lapstone Park.
Gwynn’s nagging slow-medium left arm bowling earned him 3 wickets for just 11 in his eight-over spell, reducing Liphook to 48-7 in reply to Oaks’ 140-8. Jimmy Hawkings, back from Exeter University, (1-15) and Ben Smith (2-16) also bowled with commendable economy as only Ryan Covey (27) reached double figures in the top half of the visitors’ innings.
Spinner Jamie Hall then hit an enterprising 63 to give his side some respectability, but two wickets each for Ross Stewart and Rufus Bullough ensured that the visitors were bowled out for just 118.
Earlier, Fair Oak’s total of 140-8 owed more to consistency than individual fireworks. Bullough (34) and Sam Reed (25) gave Oaks impetus with a fifth-wicket partnership of 37 as they recovered from 42-4 to post a competitive total. Smith, Ed Kemp and Rich Featherstone also posted double-figure scores while Chas Janczur, Joe Randall and Sean Burton took two wickets apiece for the visitors.
Finger nails were being bitten at Holbury, where Chris Dunn (4-35) plunged Fawley deep into trouble at 59-6 chasing Paultons’ 167-7.
Captain Callum Earl (48) led Fawley’s comeback and with the aid of support from Sean Williams (22) lifted the oilmen to 157-9 when he was trapped leg before. Fawley still needed 11, but last pair Ali Bryers and the promising Wayne Smith remained ice cool to get their side across the line … just !
Earlier, Simon Ennew (46) and Lee Wateridge (42) top scored for Paultons, who have been busy in the transfer market this week, signing Havant teen Darren Stares and the Longland father and son combination from OTs & Romsey.
Gwynn’s nagging slow-medium left arm bowling earned him 3 wickets for just 11 in his eight-over spell, reducing Liphook to 48-7 in reply to Oaks’ 140-8. Jimmy Hawkings, back from Exeter University, (1-15) and Ben Smith (2-16) also bowled with commendable economy as only Ryan Covey (27) reached double figures in the top half of the visitors’ innings.
Spinner Jamie Hall then hit an enterprising 63 to give his side some respectability, but two wickets each for Ross Stewart and Rufus Bullough ensured that the visitors were bowled out for just 118.
Earlier, Fair Oak’s total of 140-8 owed more to consistency than individual fireworks. Bullough (34) and Sam Reed (25) gave Oaks impetus with a fifth-wicket partnership of 37 as they recovered from 42-4 to post a competitive total. Smith, Ed Kemp and Rich Featherstone also posted double-figure scores while Chas Janczur, Joe Randall and Sean Burton took two wickets apiece for the visitors.
Finger nails were being bitten at Holbury, where Chris Dunn (4-35) plunged Fawley deep into trouble at 59-6 chasing Paultons’ 167-7.
Captain Callum Earl (48) led Fawley’s comeback and with the aid of support from Sean Williams (22) lifted the oilmen to 157-9 when he was trapped leg before. Fawley still needed 11, but last pair Ali Bryers and the promising Wayne Smith remained ice cool to get their side across the line … just !
Earlier, Simon Ennew (46) and Lee Wateridge (42) top scored for Paultons, who have been busy in the transfer market this week, signing Havant teen Darren Stares and the Longland father and son combination from OTs & Romsey.
