Sean Briggs in full cry [Bob Selley]
Sparsholt lost nine wickets for 64 runs after getting themselves in a strong position against Portsmouth & Southsea, last year’s Southern Premier Division 3 champions.
Tom Berzins and Will Berrill both made 39 in an opening stand of 74, which Matt Robins expanded to 105-1 before the innings imploded against the P & S spinners.
Max Goddard took 3-27 and Ewen Mansford and Ben Saunders two wickets each as teenager Tom Ley (26) apart, Sparsholt’s batting fell to pieces and to 169 all out, the last four wickets falling for six runs.
Southampton University student Mansford, who made 74 and later took six wickets in Southsea’s opening day win over Liphook & Ripsley, found that cricket can be a great leveller when Ley bowled him first ball.
That was as good as it got for Sparsholt as Matt Benfield (75 not out) and Shaun Briggs, with an unbeaten 71, peppered the boundary to sweep P & S to a nine-wicket victory at the start of the 24th over.
The pair hit seven sixes and 18 fours between them.
P & S have won both their opening games - they beat Liphook & Ripsley in round 2 - and host Langley Manor at St James' Park on Saturday, 1230.
* Langley Manor's scheduled match against St Cross Symondians II was cancelled due to a waterlogged Knellers Lane outfield.
Tom Berzins and Will Berrill both made 39 in an opening stand of 74, which Matt Robins expanded to 105-1 before the innings imploded against the P & S spinners.
Max Goddard took 3-27 and Ewen Mansford and Ben Saunders two wickets each as teenager Tom Ley (26) apart, Sparsholt’s batting fell to pieces and to 169 all out, the last four wickets falling for six runs.
Southampton University student Mansford, who made 74 and later took six wickets in Southsea’s opening day win over Liphook & Ripsley, found that cricket can be a great leveller when Ley bowled him first ball.
That was as good as it got for Sparsholt as Matt Benfield (75 not out) and Shaun Briggs, with an unbeaten 71, peppered the boundary to sweep P & S to a nine-wicket victory at the start of the 24th over.
The pair hit seven sixes and 18 fours between them.
P & S have won both their opening games - they beat Liphook & Ripsley in round 2 - and host Langley Manor at St James' Park on Saturday, 1230.
* Langley Manor's scheduled match against St Cross Symondians II was cancelled due to a waterlogged Knellers Lane outfield.
Tom Berzins gave Sparsholt a sound start [Bob Selley]
