
Newly promoted Hambledon look to put the disappointment of their early Village Cup exit firmly behind them when they begin life in Southern Premier League Division 2 at Ridge Meadow.
They romped to the Division 3 title last August, winning all bar one of their – matches, but George Marshall apart they batted poorly in last month’s cup tie at holders Calmore Sports and were beaten by four wickets.
Hambledon rectified their batting ills in a 269-run romp against Sarisbury Athletic last weekend – Dan McGovern hitting a ton and Henry Glanfield scoring 76 – but even though they lost some confidence has been restored.
Their batting should receive a significant boost now 21-year old South African Matt de Villiers (left) has arrived from Cape Town, having churned out runs galore for Claremont in the Western Province League this past winter.
He will make his debut against Fair Oak, who are skippered by big hitting opener Gregor McKenzie now Charlie Gwynn has moved to St Cross Symondians.
Hambledon: George Marshall, Dan McGovern, Chris Pratt, Matthew De Villiers, Spencer Le clercq, Mark Butcher, Curtis Dixon, George Harding, Rhidian Chapman, Shahryar Khan, Ben Harding.
Fair Oak: Gregor Mckenzie, Tom Hockenhull, Sam Reed, Joe McNeeney, Nick Doubell, Rhys Oxley, Harry Reed, Asad Abbas, Rich Featherstone, Ben Smith, Freddie Eley.
Local bragging rights will be at stake in the north of the county where Hook & Newnham Basics seconds, who have celebrated back-to-back promotions, host near neighbours Hartley Wintney at the KGV.
Hartley Wintney’s ranks will probably include Farooq Qureshi, the first Canadian national o play in the SPL.
Hook II: Bruin, Franklin, Light, T May, Neville, Allnutt, Armstrong, Gardner, Watts, O May, Shore.
Waterlooville look to New Zealander Josh McGregor to continue his good form when they visit St Cross Symondians II at the Green Jackets ground.
Waterlooville: Reynolds, T Jackson, McCoy, McGregor, Shephard, Broadhurst, Birch, Hillman, Robinson, Knight, C Jackson.
Relegated into the third tier of the SPL at the end of 2021, Andover look to bounce back, but look to most of their old guard to get them out of SPL2. They visit OTs & Romsey.
Andover: Treagus, Ashman, Knight, Williams, Ayers, Hooper, Veettil, Birks, Smith, Jansen, Adams.
In the other fixture, Fawley host Bashley (Rydal) II at Holbury.
Last season’s Hampshire League winners Havant II face a tough test when Portsmouth & Southsea visit the Park, while runners-up Sway go to Gosport Borough minus the Bailey twins, who have gone travelling.
Despite the April defections of three 'young guns' and a handful of 1st XI players not being available, Gosport are optimistic about being able to field a competitive side against SPL3 newcomers Sway at Privett Park.
New West Indian Tyrel Chicot, fom St Lucia, makes his competitive debut, Sampath Prathapasinghe returns after a year in Burridge II's, and their numbers have also been boosted by the arrival of 2021 County 3 batting award winner Jubin Kariappi from Kerala. Hampshire over 60's new-boy John Adams helps increase the average age of a side including his offspring Alex.
Gosport Borough: Ross Harrop, Viv Richards, Jubin Kariappi, Alex Adams, Tyrel Chicot, Mark Toogood, Greg Kitchin, John Adams, Scott Taylor, Sampath Prathapasinghe, Dale Paternotte.
Relegated Paultons have lost Cam Grierson and Nathan Feltham to Sarisbury Athletic, but with Aussie Callum Barton aboard are optimistic of a better summer, starting against Basingstoke & North Hants II at Whitemoor Lane.
Paultons: Ennew, P Longland, Barton, Pike, Rogers, Collins, Dawes, Richman, C Dunn, H Chandhoke, Denney.
Elsewhere, Langley Manor host depleted South Wilts II and Purbrook entertain Trojans under Sean Figgins’ captaincy.
They romped to the Division 3 title last August, winning all bar one of their – matches, but George Marshall apart they batted poorly in last month’s cup tie at holders Calmore Sports and were beaten by four wickets.
Hambledon rectified their batting ills in a 269-run romp against Sarisbury Athletic last weekend – Dan McGovern hitting a ton and Henry Glanfield scoring 76 – but even though they lost some confidence has been restored.
Their batting should receive a significant boost now 21-year old South African Matt de Villiers (left) has arrived from Cape Town, having churned out runs galore for Claremont in the Western Province League this past winter.
He will make his debut against Fair Oak, who are skippered by big hitting opener Gregor McKenzie now Charlie Gwynn has moved to St Cross Symondians.
Hambledon: George Marshall, Dan McGovern, Chris Pratt, Matthew De Villiers, Spencer Le clercq, Mark Butcher, Curtis Dixon, George Harding, Rhidian Chapman, Shahryar Khan, Ben Harding.
Fair Oak: Gregor Mckenzie, Tom Hockenhull, Sam Reed, Joe McNeeney, Nick Doubell, Rhys Oxley, Harry Reed, Asad Abbas, Rich Featherstone, Ben Smith, Freddie Eley.
Local bragging rights will be at stake in the north of the county where Hook & Newnham Basics seconds, who have celebrated back-to-back promotions, host near neighbours Hartley Wintney at the KGV.
Hartley Wintney’s ranks will probably include Farooq Qureshi, the first Canadian national o play in the SPL.
Hook II: Bruin, Franklin, Light, T May, Neville, Allnutt, Armstrong, Gardner, Watts, O May, Shore.
Waterlooville look to New Zealander Josh McGregor to continue his good form when they visit St Cross Symondians II at the Green Jackets ground.
Waterlooville: Reynolds, T Jackson, McCoy, McGregor, Shephard, Broadhurst, Birch, Hillman, Robinson, Knight, C Jackson.
Relegated into the third tier of the SPL at the end of 2021, Andover look to bounce back, but look to most of their old guard to get them out of SPL2. They visit OTs & Romsey.
Andover: Treagus, Ashman, Knight, Williams, Ayers, Hooper, Veettil, Birks, Smith, Jansen, Adams.
In the other fixture, Fawley host Bashley (Rydal) II at Holbury.
Last season’s Hampshire League winners Havant II face a tough test when Portsmouth & Southsea visit the Park, while runners-up Sway go to Gosport Borough minus the Bailey twins, who have gone travelling.
Despite the April defections of three 'young guns' and a handful of 1st XI players not being available, Gosport are optimistic about being able to field a competitive side against SPL3 newcomers Sway at Privett Park.
New West Indian Tyrel Chicot, fom St Lucia, makes his competitive debut, Sampath Prathapasinghe returns after a year in Burridge II's, and their numbers have also been boosted by the arrival of 2021 County 3 batting award winner Jubin Kariappi from Kerala. Hampshire over 60's new-boy John Adams helps increase the average age of a side including his offspring Alex.
Gosport Borough: Ross Harrop, Viv Richards, Jubin Kariappi, Alex Adams, Tyrel Chicot, Mark Toogood, Greg Kitchin, John Adams, Scott Taylor, Sampath Prathapasinghe, Dale Paternotte.
Relegated Paultons have lost Cam Grierson and Nathan Feltham to Sarisbury Athletic, but with Aussie Callum Barton aboard are optimistic of a better summer, starting against Basingstoke & North Hants II at Whitemoor Lane.
Paultons: Ennew, P Longland, Barton, Pike, Rogers, Collins, Dawes, Richman, C Dunn, H Chandhoke, Denney.
Elsewhere, Langley Manor host depleted South Wilts II and Purbrook entertain Trojans under Sean Figgins’ captaincy.