Hambledon are closing in on a maiden Southern Premier League championship success, with two wins from the last three matches certain to bring the historic village club it first taste of silverware in two decades.
If they win their next two games at relegation threatened Hythe & Dibden (Saturday) and then Tichborne Park on August 21, they will be crowned Division 3 winners.
It will be their first success since lifting the Hampshire League title back in 1992, when they were promoted into the then Southern League alongside Sparsholt.
Chairman Mark le Clerq was a prominent player in that era and, if the title comes to Ridge Meadow, there’s every chance he’ll be at the wheel of a celebratory open-deck Southdown bus tour around the village where cricket evolved in 1750.
Hambledon’s success this season has largely been based around home grown talent, though it was an Aussie late of Newcastle, New South Wales, whose century set up a 149-run victory over a disorganized Trojans at Stoneham Lane.
Dan McGovern, pictured above, moved into the area from Northampton last winter and is already proving a great asset with his powerful left-arm batting and spin bowling.
He blazed 114 off the Trojans attack – five sixes and nine fours – and shared a 141-run partnership with top gun Henry Glanfield (60) before the already shredded Stoneham bowlers came under a fearsome pre-interval attack.
If they win their next two games at relegation threatened Hythe & Dibden (Saturday) and then Tichborne Park on August 21, they will be crowned Division 3 winners.
It will be their first success since lifting the Hampshire League title back in 1992, when they were promoted into the then Southern League alongside Sparsholt.
Chairman Mark le Clerq was a prominent player in that era and, if the title comes to Ridge Meadow, there’s every chance he’ll be at the wheel of a celebratory open-deck Southdown bus tour around the village where cricket evolved in 1750.
Hambledon’s success this season has largely been based around home grown talent, though it was an Aussie late of Newcastle, New South Wales, whose century set up a 149-run victory over a disorganized Trojans at Stoneham Lane.
Dan McGovern, pictured above, moved into the area from Northampton last winter and is already proving a great asset with his powerful left-arm batting and spin bowling.
He blazed 114 off the Trojans attack – five sixes and nine fours – and shared a 141-run partnership with top gun Henry Glanfield (60) before the already shredded Stoneham bowlers came under a fearsome pre-interval attack.
Fetch that ! Hambledon skipper Spencer le Clerq lofts a six into the Trojans car park.
Chris Pratt biffed three sixes and two fours in a nine-ball 28 (so 26 in boundaries) while skipper Spencer le Clerq helped himself to a breezy 28 before Hambledon closed 260-4.
Teenage duo James Restall (3-30) and Ben Reilly, with a 4-7 return on debut, rolled Trojans over for 71, the Stoneham side having been asked to get 221 off 30 overs. But at least they did play through some less than desirable weather conditions.
Hambledon’s young and inexperienced seamers contributed 19 wides to the meagre Trojans total – an area they need to work on - as they bowled their hosts out in 19.5 overs, just in the nick of time !
Teenage duo James Restall (3-30) and Ben Reilly, with a 4-7 return on debut, rolled Trojans over for 71, the Stoneham side having been asked to get 221 off 30 overs. But at least they did play through some less than desirable weather conditions.
Hambledon’s young and inexperienced seamers contributed 19 wides to the meagre Trojans total – an area they need to work on - as they bowled their hosts out in 19.5 overs, just in the nick of time !
 James Restall (3-30) makes life uncomfortable for Rhaul Bhome and, right, Ben Reilly bowls Trojans top scorer Syed Mahmood. |  |
Players changing out of car boots
Along with the holidaying Nigel le Bas, skipper Jamie Donaldson and opening bat Ed Boyd are what remains of the ‘old guard’ at Trojans.
Hampshire 50s all-rounder Donaldson – who drives up from Christchurch to play each weekend – was seemingly left to do everything from skippering the side to erecting a gazabo to provide cover for Malcolm Clarke and Jackie Turner, two of the most loyal notchers (scorers) on the circuit.
Apparently, there were no dressing rooms available at Trojans and, as always appears to be the case, players are having to change out of car boots alongside the pitch and shelter in their vehicles when it rains. This situation has gone on for the past five years or more, with the ground having recently been demoted to 'bronze/silver' in accreditation speak.
The Southern Premier League has a long standing Minimum Facilities Criteria in situ, under which the provision of a secure changing room for visiting teams is a mandatory requirement.
What are Trojans doing to rectify this situation ?
Along with the holidaying Nigel le Bas, skipper Jamie Donaldson and opening bat Ed Boyd are what remains of the ‘old guard’ at Trojans.
Hampshire 50s all-rounder Donaldson – who drives up from Christchurch to play each weekend – was seemingly left to do everything from skippering the side to erecting a gazabo to provide cover for Malcolm Clarke and Jackie Turner, two of the most loyal notchers (scorers) on the circuit.
Apparently, there were no dressing rooms available at Trojans and, as always appears to be the case, players are having to change out of car boots alongside the pitch and shelter in their vehicles when it rains. This situation has gone on for the past five years or more, with the ground having recently been demoted to 'bronze/silver' in accreditation speak.
The Southern Premier League has a long standing Minimum Facilities Criteria in situ, under which the provision of a secure changing room for visiting teams is a mandatory requirement.
What are Trojans doing to rectify this situation ?
