Joe Eckland 105* is Academy saviour [James Robinson]
Dan Conway produced a season’s best 5-55 before Bournemouth found their path towards a crucial ECB Southern Premier Division victory over the Hampshire Academy blocked by teenage Dorset prospect Joe Eckland.
The Millfield teenager hit a maiden 105 not out as the Academy forced a draw at 214-7 in response to Bournemouth’s 253-7.
But the ‘winning draw’ earned Bournemouth 14 points and cut the deficit between themselves and second from bottom Burridge to eight points – Burridge having crashed to a 75-run defeat at Havant, their fourth loss in a row.
Bournemouth lost Tasmanian left-hander Tom Willoughby cheapy, but Luke Webb’s elevation to opener paid dividends with the Dorset skipper and Tom Robinson (30) taking the score to 82-1.
When Webb (68) departed at 128-4 – a second quick scalp for Bashley (Rydal) raised Ethan Baker (3-70) – Bournemouth’s innings reached a potential crossroads.
But Lewis Freak (38) added 55 with Robbie Pack, who emerged from a lean spell to crack three sixes and six fours in a season’s best 74 and guide Bournemouth to 253-7.
Conway (above) effectively ended any prospect of an Academy victory with a three-wicket new-ball spell which saw Tom Cheater, Charlie Mumford and Jude Wright back in the Chapel Gate pavilion with Hampshire rocking at 24-3.
Those early losses provided the promising Eckland to build an innings of note and that he did with two sixes and nine fours in a maiden 105 not out.
Hampshire Player Development Manager Charlie Freeston described Eckland’s century as “an outstanding effort in difficult circumstances. He’s showed real character all season and deserves this score.”
Eckland found an ideal partner in Wilf Fontaine-Jackson (58), the teenage pair adding 115 before Conway and Robbie Pack (2-32) created further inroads, four wickets falling for 19 runs and the Academy score to 158-7.
It left Bournemouth seven overs to take the last three Academy wickets, but Eckland – supported by Louis Prichard (11 not out) – took the opportunity to progress towards his maiden hundred, a milestone he reached in Conway’s 56th and final over.
The Millfield teenager hit a maiden 105 not out as the Academy forced a draw at 214-7 in response to Bournemouth’s 253-7.
But the ‘winning draw’ earned Bournemouth 14 points and cut the deficit between themselves and second from bottom Burridge to eight points – Burridge having crashed to a 75-run defeat at Havant, their fourth loss in a row.
Bournemouth lost Tasmanian left-hander Tom Willoughby cheapy, but Luke Webb’s elevation to opener paid dividends with the Dorset skipper and Tom Robinson (30) taking the score to 82-1.
When Webb (68) departed at 128-4 – a second quick scalp for Bashley (Rydal) raised Ethan Baker (3-70) – Bournemouth’s innings reached a potential crossroads.
But Lewis Freak (38) added 55 with Robbie Pack, who emerged from a lean spell to crack three sixes and six fours in a season’s best 74 and guide Bournemouth to 253-7.
Conway (above) effectively ended any prospect of an Academy victory with a three-wicket new-ball spell which saw Tom Cheater, Charlie Mumford and Jude Wright back in the Chapel Gate pavilion with Hampshire rocking at 24-3.
Those early losses provided the promising Eckland to build an innings of note and that he did with two sixes and nine fours in a maiden 105 not out.
Hampshire Player Development Manager Charlie Freeston described Eckland’s century as “an outstanding effort in difficult circumstances. He’s showed real character all season and deserves this score.”
Eckland found an ideal partner in Wilf Fontaine-Jackson (58), the teenage pair adding 115 before Conway and Robbie Pack (2-32) created further inroads, four wickets falling for 19 runs and the Academy score to 158-7.
It left Bournemouth seven overs to take the last three Academy wickets, but Eckland – supported by Louis Prichard (11 not out) – took the opportunity to progress towards his maiden hundred, a milestone he reached in Conway’s 56th and final over.
Slick glovework by Freddie Oldfield accounts for Andrew MacEwen of Robbie Pack [James Robinson]
