HAMPSHIRE ACADEMY - ECB SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2024
Standing (from left): Dom Kelly, Ethan Baker, Eddie Jack, Ben Mayes, Ethan Martin, Connor Lamsdale. Front: Finn Gordon, Sam Ashman, Andrew MacEwen, Freddie Gillett, Sam Davis.
South Wilts put up a heroic bowling performance only to see their ECB Southern Premier League championship prospects dashed by an equally gallant late-order fightback by the Hampshire Academy.
The Bemerton bowlers defended a modest 110 to the hilt and, late on, were favourites in the 'winner take all' title showdown on the Utilita Bowl Nursery ground.
The Academy lurched to 86-8 - a sizeable 25 runs off the victory target - when England Under-19 all-rounder Eddie Jack joined spinner Sam Davis for an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership, which turned the match - and the title race - on its head.
Fingers gnawed to the bone, the Academy won a pulsating match by two wickets to win the Premier League championship for the first time. Across the board, batting standards didn't match those with the ball.
South Wilts, nine-points ahead going into the final match, finished third behind Bashley (Rydal).
The Bemerton bowlers defended a modest 110 to the hilt and, late on, were favourites in the 'winner take all' title showdown on the Utilita Bowl Nursery ground.
The Academy lurched to 86-8 - a sizeable 25 runs off the victory target - when England Under-19 all-rounder Eddie Jack joined spinner Sam Davis for an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership, which turned the match - and the title race - on its head.
Fingers gnawed to the bone, the Academy won a pulsating match by two wickets to win the Premier League championship for the first time. Across the board, batting standards didn't match those with the ball.
South Wilts, nine-points ahead going into the final match, finished third behind Bashley (Rydal).
 Ethan Martin ... impressive |  James Degg holes out |
South Wilts began comfortably enough with Jack Mynott (20) easing the score to 37-1 - only for Dom Kelly (3-14) and the impressive Ethan Martin (3-30) to strike a series of blows and reduce the visitors to 46-5.
Andrew MacEwen held on to four catches as James Degg (31) battled solo to keep South Wilts' heads above water - the opener eventually becoming a third victim of leggie Finn Gordon (3-10) having lost eight separate partners during his 60-ball stay the crease.
At 89-9, South Wilts looked set to be dismissed for less than 100, but last pair Henry Dunlop (16) and Ryan Freeman added a priceless 26 - and boost tea-time morale in the visitors' changing room.
Andrew MacEwen held on to four catches as James Degg (31) battled solo to keep South Wilts' heads above water - the opener eventually becoming a third victim of leggie Finn Gordon (3-10) having lost eight separate partners during his 60-ball stay the crease.
At 89-9, South Wilts looked set to be dismissed for less than 100, but last pair Henry Dunlop (16) and Ryan Freeman added a priceless 26 - and boost tea-time morale in the visitors' changing room.
Henry Dunlop goes big ...
Low targets can often prove difficult to chase, though opener Sam Ashman and Kelly, each with 16, found the boundary rope six times as the Academy advanced to 56-3.
A double strike by the lanky Dunlop (2-35), followed by a four-wicket haul by left-armer Tom Grant (4-25), plunged the Academy into deep trouble at 86-8.
The match had swayed dramatically towards South Wilts, but was due one final twist courtesy of Canford School's Eddie Jack and Sam Davis, the teenage Teddington spinner, who got the Hampshire youngsters across the line.
Jack relieved the pressure by twice hitting Archie Fairfax-Ross for boundaries before Davis did likewise to Rob Pitman, his two fours sealed the win - and the Premier League championship for the Academy.
A double strike by the lanky Dunlop (2-35), followed by a four-wicket haul by left-armer Tom Grant (4-25), plunged the Academy into deep trouble at 86-8.
The match had swayed dramatically towards South Wilts, but was due one final twist courtesy of Canford School's Eddie Jack and Sam Davis, the teenage Teddington spinner, who got the Hampshire youngsters across the line.
Jack relieved the pressure by twice hitting Archie Fairfax-Ross for boundaries before Davis did likewise to Rob Pitman, his two fours sealed the win - and the Premier League championship for the Academy.
 Eddie Jack key late runs |  Sam Davis .. the finisher. |
South Wilts pipped at the post : Roy Honeybone photos.
