Harry Trussler shows sound technique as he heads towards a maiden St Cross Symondians century [Jon Player]
Harry Trussler was the toast of St Cross Symondians after his maiden Southern League century swept the Winchester club to a five-wicket win over the West Premier/1 group’s bottom side Andover at the Green Jackets Ground.
The 18-year old opener hit 102 as St Cross passed Andover’s 213-5 with nine balls of an exciting game to spare.
They lie third in the log behind Bashley (Rydal) and Bournemouth, with winnable matches against Lymington and New Milton left to play. Significantly, all the lead teams in the West group have still to play each other during the closing weeks of the season.
Andover’s visit to the tree lined Green Jackets began in bizarre fashion with the normally consistent Simon Beetham sending down 13 wides and two no-balls in his first two overs, giving Glyn Treagus and Ali Hooper (36) the impetus they needed to lay a solid foundation for Andover. The pair put together a 96- run opening stand before Hooper was out-foxed in the flight by spinner Alex Woolvine.
The 18-year old opener hit 102 as St Cross passed Andover’s 213-5 with nine balls of an exciting game to spare.
They lie third in the log behind Bashley (Rydal) and Bournemouth, with winnable matches against Lymington and New Milton left to play. Significantly, all the lead teams in the West group have still to play each other during the closing weeks of the season.
Andover’s visit to the tree lined Green Jackets began in bizarre fashion with the normally consistent Simon Beetham sending down 13 wides and two no-balls in his first two overs, giving Glyn Treagus and Ali Hooper (36) the impetus they needed to lay a solid foundation for Andover. The pair put together a 96- run opening stand before Hooper was out-foxed in the flight by spinner Alex Woolvine.
Alex Ayers eye catching 57 for Andover
Alex Ayers, who spent the 2018 season at St Cross, continued on the good run-rate with an eye catching half century, creaming four fours and three sixes in his 57, enjoying healthy partnerships with evergreen Treagus (42) and former Radley man Will Carr (27).
Some swashbuckling late striking from skipper Matt Knight (17 off six deliveries), well supported by Charlie Ayers and Archie Ayling, got Andover to a competitive 213-5 off their 40 overs.
The St Cross chase started in more reserved fashion, thanks to some miserly bowling, particularly from Mike Adams, leaking just 10 runs off his six overs.
When the West Division’s leading wicket taker, Matt Hooper, claimed the prize scalp of Jason Laney for a well-made 22, St Cross needed an injection of runs at the crease. That soon came with captain Ed Ellis (39) playing an enterprising innings to take the game to Andover’s bowlers.
Confident
At the other end, young Harry Trussler was accumulating runs nicely, heading towards his maiden league century, which he eventually brought up with a six over wide mid-on.
Ellis was removed by Ayling with the score on 122 and St Cross still required another 92 in under 15 overs, but with centurion Trussler at the crease, they were confident of victory.
Jack Bransgrove (13) was promoted up the order to hit some bombs to the boundary but struggled to pick up the pace of the pitch. Likewise, Beetham (5) came to support Trussler, but came and went without troubling the scorers too much, stumped by Alex Ayers off his brother’s bowling.
When Trussler (102) was eventually dismissed for an excellent century, once again by Matt Hooper (3-52), it was all on the shoulders of Winchester College economics lecturer Ben Gould to see St Cross home.
Needing 30 runs off the last five overs, Gould launched a six and a four in his 17 off 11 balls, winning the game for St Cross with 9 balls to spare.
Some swashbuckling late striking from skipper Matt Knight (17 off six deliveries), well supported by Charlie Ayers and Archie Ayling, got Andover to a competitive 213-5 off their 40 overs.
The St Cross chase started in more reserved fashion, thanks to some miserly bowling, particularly from Mike Adams, leaking just 10 runs off his six overs.
When the West Division’s leading wicket taker, Matt Hooper, claimed the prize scalp of Jason Laney for a well-made 22, St Cross needed an injection of runs at the crease. That soon came with captain Ed Ellis (39) playing an enterprising innings to take the game to Andover’s bowlers.
Confident
At the other end, young Harry Trussler was accumulating runs nicely, heading towards his maiden league century, which he eventually brought up with a six over wide mid-on.
Ellis was removed by Ayling with the score on 122 and St Cross still required another 92 in under 15 overs, but with centurion Trussler at the crease, they were confident of victory.
Jack Bransgrove (13) was promoted up the order to hit some bombs to the boundary but struggled to pick up the pace of the pitch. Likewise, Beetham (5) came to support Trussler, but came and went without troubling the scorers too much, stumped by Alex Ayers off his brother’s bowling.
When Trussler (102) was eventually dismissed for an excellent century, once again by Matt Hooper (3-52), it was all on the shoulders of Winchester College economics lecturer Ben Gould to see St Cross home.
Needing 30 runs off the last five overs, Gould launched a six and a four in his 17 off 11 balls, winning the game for St Cross with 9 balls to spare.
