Jon Hudson led by example with a five-wicket haul as Waterlooville beat Paultons by 52 runs at Rowlands Avenue to secure third place in the Southern Premier League Division 2.
Hudson, who recently took over the reins from Max Goddard, has seen his side win four of their opening five matches, writes Kevin Ricketts, The News.
‘We only have two members of the team who are over 30. The majority of the rest are all in their early 20s. Against Paultons we had two 16-year-olds and two 19-year-olds in the team : we must be one of the youngest teams in the league and it is exciting to see just how far they can go,’ Hudson said.
‘Coming up into this division was a big step into the unknown but so far we have shown we can handle it. Being a young side gives us a lot of energy and there is a good team spirit. It helps we are a good bunch of friends who socialise together off the pitch. That gives us a good buzz and a willingness to go out and play for each other.’
Waterlooville won the toss and opted to bat first – even though they knew the pitch would not be easy. Hudson, pictured, predicted it might be a bit two-paced with the odd ball keeping low, but knew if his side could set a target of around 170, it would put them in a good position.
But things didn’t go to plan early on – with Perth Suburban Turf all-rounder Alex Smith and Archie Reynolds falling cheaply.
It was one of Ville’s senior players, 30-year-old opener James Scutt (43), who steadied the ship. Along with the in-form Alex Shephard (50), he helped add 59 runs for the third wicket.
Tom Greene, 16, gave Waterlooville extra momentum with a timely unbeaten 47 to lift his side close to the 200 mark.
‘We were quietly confident if we bowled well we would win,’ added Hudson, who then ripped through Paultons with figures of 5-30, including three wickets for just two runs midway through their innings.
Jack Murrell gave a decent performance for Paultons, taking 3-32 before top scoring with a late innings 41, but overseas player Josh Abel is struggling to make an impact having made only 35 runs and taken two wickets in seven outings.
While Paultons were being dismissed for 142 at Waterlooville, the club’s second team piled up 339-5 against HCL CD4 West opponents IBM Hursley, with two past captains Tony Richman (114) and Andrew Collins (113) making hay. Several other familiar names were in the Paultons II line-up.
Hudson, who recently took over the reins from Max Goddard, has seen his side win four of their opening five matches, writes Kevin Ricketts, The News.
‘We only have two members of the team who are over 30. The majority of the rest are all in their early 20s. Against Paultons we had two 16-year-olds and two 19-year-olds in the team : we must be one of the youngest teams in the league and it is exciting to see just how far they can go,’ Hudson said.
‘Coming up into this division was a big step into the unknown but so far we have shown we can handle it. Being a young side gives us a lot of energy and there is a good team spirit. It helps we are a good bunch of friends who socialise together off the pitch. That gives us a good buzz and a willingness to go out and play for each other.’
Waterlooville won the toss and opted to bat first – even though they knew the pitch would not be easy. Hudson, pictured, predicted it might be a bit two-paced with the odd ball keeping low, but knew if his side could set a target of around 170, it would put them in a good position.
But things didn’t go to plan early on – with Perth Suburban Turf all-rounder Alex Smith and Archie Reynolds falling cheaply.
It was one of Ville’s senior players, 30-year-old opener James Scutt (43), who steadied the ship. Along with the in-form Alex Shephard (50), he helped add 59 runs for the third wicket.
Tom Greene, 16, gave Waterlooville extra momentum with a timely unbeaten 47 to lift his side close to the 200 mark.
‘We were quietly confident if we bowled well we would win,’ added Hudson, who then ripped through Paultons with figures of 5-30, including three wickets for just two runs midway through their innings.
Jack Murrell gave a decent performance for Paultons, taking 3-32 before top scoring with a late innings 41, but overseas player Josh Abel is struggling to make an impact having made only 35 runs and taken two wickets in seven outings.
While Paultons were being dismissed for 142 at Waterlooville, the club’s second team piled up 339-5 against HCL CD4 West opponents IBM Hursley, with two past captains Tony Richman (114) and Andrew Collins (113) making hay. Several other familiar names were in the Paultons II line-up.