South African Matt De Villiers made an instant debut as Hambledon began where they left off - winning a Southern Premier League match.
The Dons romped to the Division 3 title last season, with the best points-per-game average of any club across the four divisions.
And with South African overseas batter De Villiers now on board, they sent out an early message to the rest of the Division 2 clubs with a 51-run victory over Fair Oak.
The Wynberg raised 21-year-old spent the winter scoring runs galore for leading Cape Town club Claremont - 627 at 41.80. And he was close to a debut century in Hambledon’s 51-run win.
Batting at No 4, De Villiers hit nine fours and two sixes in a 77-ball 89 before he was run out. But not before he had shared a 151-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Spencer Le Clercq (67 not out).
The captain hit four fours in his 97-ball innings as Hambledon posted 263-5 off their 50 overs at Ridge Meadow.
The hosts had been given a 77-run start by left-hander Dan McGovern (41) and George Marshall (35). Ben Harding (2-31) struck twice as Fair Oak crumpled to 19-3 in reply, before Joseph McNeeney (56) and Harry Reed (38) led a fightback by adding 107 for the fourth wicket.
De Villiers ended that partnership before George Harding made further inroads, Fair Oak slumping to 153-8. Tailender Ben Smith hit a breezy 33 off 21 balls before the innings was wrapped up when he was dismissed by George Harding (4-35).
Andover won only five of their 13 completed matches last season and were relegated alongside St Cross Symondians II so it was somewhat of a relief that Matt Hooper led his side to a 41-run victory at OTs & Romsey.
Hooper made a handy 23 not out after Charlie Ayers (41) – whose brother Alex is now skippering Avebury in the might of the WEPL Wiltshire League this season (why ?) – had top scored in a 163-9 total. Old hands Hooper and Glyn Treagus shared six wickets as OTR rolled over for 132 (Rob Newman 39).
Hartley Wintney emerged victorious in the north Hants derby at the KGV, beating newly promoted hosts Hook & Newnham Basics II by 47 runs.
Love Island star Hugo Hammond loudly announced his return to SPL action by top scoring in HW's modest 161, Rups Armstrong and Watts sharing six of the wickets. Shaun Bruin (48) responded but lacked support as Hook stumbled to 124 all out.
The Dons romped to the Division 3 title last season, with the best points-per-game average of any club across the four divisions.
And with South African overseas batter De Villiers now on board, they sent out an early message to the rest of the Division 2 clubs with a 51-run victory over Fair Oak.
The Wynberg raised 21-year-old spent the winter scoring runs galore for leading Cape Town club Claremont - 627 at 41.80. And he was close to a debut century in Hambledon’s 51-run win.
Batting at No 4, De Villiers hit nine fours and two sixes in a 77-ball 89 before he was run out. But not before he had shared a 151-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Spencer Le Clercq (67 not out).
The captain hit four fours in his 97-ball innings as Hambledon posted 263-5 off their 50 overs at Ridge Meadow.
The hosts had been given a 77-run start by left-hander Dan McGovern (41) and George Marshall (35). Ben Harding (2-31) struck twice as Fair Oak crumpled to 19-3 in reply, before Joseph McNeeney (56) and Harry Reed (38) led a fightback by adding 107 for the fourth wicket.
De Villiers ended that partnership before George Harding made further inroads, Fair Oak slumping to 153-8. Tailender Ben Smith hit a breezy 33 off 21 balls before the innings was wrapped up when he was dismissed by George Harding (4-35).
Andover won only five of their 13 completed matches last season and were relegated alongside St Cross Symondians II so it was somewhat of a relief that Matt Hooper led his side to a 41-run victory at OTs & Romsey.
Hooper made a handy 23 not out after Charlie Ayers (41) – whose brother Alex is now skippering Avebury in the might of the WEPL Wiltshire League this season (why ?) – had top scored in a 163-9 total. Old hands Hooper and Glyn Treagus shared six wickets as OTR rolled over for 132 (Rob Newman 39).
Hartley Wintney emerged victorious in the north Hants derby at the KGV, beating newly promoted hosts Hook & Newnham Basics II by 47 runs.
Love Island star Hugo Hammond loudly announced his return to SPL action by top scoring in HW's modest 161, Rups Armstrong and Watts sharing six of the wickets. Shaun Bruin (48) responded but lacked support as Hook stumbled to 124 all out.