South Wilts waited almost two months to play in the ECB Royal London national club championship – but when they did it was all done and dusted in less than thee hours.
James Hayward’s side were frustrated in the extreme when, having been given an opening round bye, they progressed to the group final because neither of their next two opponents, Fawley or Lymington could raise a side.
When they did eventually meet Havant, the tie had to be switched to Bemerton as Havant Park was still awash from the previous day’s storms.
They ended up playing a T20 match, in which South Wilts, fielding a much weakened side of barely four regular first teamers, slipped to 69-6 – slow left-armer Steve Matthews taking 3-21 – before Tom Pearce (29) hoisted the final score to 121.
Havant were seldom in trouble and polished off the target with three overs to spare, Stuart Ransley and Chris Stone each making 31 before Cam Prentice hit an unbeaten 36 to clinch the win.
Havant’s reward is a home tie with either Bridgwater or West of England Premier League giants Frocester, who meet in Somerset on Sunday to determine who comes to Havant Park on July 10.
James Hayward’s side were frustrated in the extreme when, having been given an opening round bye, they progressed to the group final because neither of their next two opponents, Fawley or Lymington could raise a side.
When they did eventually meet Havant, the tie had to be switched to Bemerton as Havant Park was still awash from the previous day’s storms.
They ended up playing a T20 match, in which South Wilts, fielding a much weakened side of barely four regular first teamers, slipped to 69-6 – slow left-armer Steve Matthews taking 3-21 – before Tom Pearce (29) hoisted the final score to 121.
Havant were seldom in trouble and polished off the target with three overs to spare, Stuart Ransley and Chris Stone each making 31 before Cam Prentice hit an unbeaten 36 to clinch the win.
Havant’s reward is a home tie with either Bridgwater or West of England Premier League giants Frocester, who meet in Somerset on Sunday to determine who comes to Havant Park on July 10.
