Hook & Newnham Basics colts supremo Vince Gardner showed any of his watching juniors the way to build a century, which underpinned a successful Hampshire Seniors' run chase against the visiting Channel Islands at the KGV.
But his efforts, which culminated in a seven-wicket win, proved in vain as any faint prospects Hampshire had of qualifying for the 'round of 16' of the ECB 50-plus County Championship were extinguished by a crushing defeat by Dorset a few days later.
Gardner carried his bat during a stamina sapping 107 as Hampshire chased down the CI total of 249-8 to win with four overs to spare, Keith Harsham cracking 50 and Basingstoke & North Hants team-mate Matt Thankachan 38 not out.
But it didn't go so well against Dorset at the BCG, where Gardner (38) again top scored in a modest 178-9, a target greedily polished off with seven overs left.
Jim Ryall hit 57 for Dorset, for whom the ever-youthful Tim Cowley predictably starred with bat and ball, taking 3-44 before hitting an unbeaten 38. The evergreen Joe Wilson heightened his delight at Tranmere Rovers' promotion back to the Football League by returning 3-25 with the new ball.
But his efforts, which culminated in a seven-wicket win, proved in vain as any faint prospects Hampshire had of qualifying for the 'round of 16' of the ECB 50-plus County Championship were extinguished by a crushing defeat by Dorset a few days later.
Gardner carried his bat during a stamina sapping 107 as Hampshire chased down the CI total of 249-8 to win with four overs to spare, Keith Harsham cracking 50 and Basingstoke & North Hants team-mate Matt Thankachan 38 not out.
But it didn't go so well against Dorset at the BCG, where Gardner (38) again top scored in a modest 178-9, a target greedily polished off with seven overs left.
Jim Ryall hit 57 for Dorset, for whom the ever-youthful Tim Cowley predictably starred with bat and ball, taking 3-44 before hitting an unbeaten 38. The evergreen Joe Wilson heightened his delight at Tranmere Rovers' promotion back to the Football League by returning 3-25 with the new ball.
