Ben Huntley, rocked Academy with four-wicket blast [All pictures Roy Honeybone]
With five matches left, South Wilts are 13-point ahead at the top of the ECB Southern Premier Division – an unbeaten 78 by Jack Mynott inspiring a six-wicket win over the Hampshire Academy at Bemerton.
With long time leaders Bournemouth suffering a third defeat in four matches, South Wilts leapt into pole position by chasing down the Academy’s 175 all out with 13 balls of the weather trimmed 35-over affair to spare.
But James Hayward, standing in for the injured Ben Draper, isn’t getting carried away with South Wilts new-found position at the Premier summit, especially with a daunting trip to Havant next on the agenda.
He warned: “There’s a lot of cricket left this season. All we are talking about as a team is enjoying it and backing our skills.
“I’ve never worried too much about league positions until the final couple of weeks. The group has been excellent all year, they’re playing for each other and enjoying each other’s success. The team spirit is as good as I can remember.”
Generating pace from the Lower Road end of the ground, Ben Huntley (4-37) lifted spirits even more by striking four early blows to have the Academy rocking at 38-4, including Toby Albert (20), who made his full Hampshire debut recently in the Vitality T20 Blast victory over Somerset.
With long time leaders Bournemouth suffering a third defeat in four matches, South Wilts leapt into pole position by chasing down the Academy’s 175 all out with 13 balls of the weather trimmed 35-over affair to spare.
But James Hayward, standing in for the injured Ben Draper, isn’t getting carried away with South Wilts new-found position at the Premier summit, especially with a daunting trip to Havant next on the agenda.
He warned: “There’s a lot of cricket left this season. All we are talking about as a team is enjoying it and backing our skills.
“I’ve never worried too much about league positions until the final couple of weeks. The group has been excellent all year, they’re playing for each other and enjoying each other’s success. The team spirit is as good as I can remember.”
Generating pace from the Lower Road end of the ground, Ben Huntley (4-37) lifted spirits even more by striking four early blows to have the Academy rocking at 38-4, including Toby Albert (20), who made his full Hampshire debut recently in the Vitality T20 Blast victory over Somerset.
Charlie Mumford drills a four through mid-wicket.
Opener Charlie Mumford didn’t yield and showed the type of application that has been rewarded with a place in this week’s ECB Supa-4s regional tournament – essentially a full-scale England trial for the 2022 ICC U19 World Cup in the Caribbean.
The 17-year old batsman/wicketkeeper from Bedford School hit 66, including three big sixes and seven fours, adding handy runs with James Barker and James Trodd as the Young Hawks steadily rebuilt their innings.
After Mumford had been bowled by South Newton dairy famer Tom Grant, it was left to Trodd (32) to fashion a competitive Academy total.
The Old Tauntonians & Romsey raised left-arm all-rounder, with one six and five fours, struck 26 of his 32 runs in boundaries before providing Sam Pittman the fourth of five catches behind the stumps, off Steve Warner, who finished with 3-25.
The 17-year old batsman/wicketkeeper from Bedford School hit 66, including three big sixes and seven fours, adding handy runs with James Barker and James Trodd as the Young Hawks steadily rebuilt their innings.
After Mumford had been bowled by South Newton dairy famer Tom Grant, it was left to Trodd (32) to fashion a competitive Academy total.
The Old Tauntonians & Romsey raised left-arm all-rounder, with one six and five fours, struck 26 of his 32 runs in boundaries before providing Sam Pittman the fourth of five catches behind the stumps, off Steve Warner, who finished with 3-25.
Wicketkeeper Sam Pittman takes the fourth of his five catches behind the stumps to dismiss Academy all-rounder James Trodd.
“Sam came up from the seconds as Ben Draper had a finger injury and didn’t put a foot wrong – and that was huge for us as it set the tone,” Hayward added.
“He stood to bowlers he’s never kept wicket to before and I couldn’t fault him all day. It’s great to be able to call on the likes of Sam when needed.”
Mynott led South Wilts’ successful run chase with a fine unbeaten 75 and will clearly be a key component at the business end of the season.
“Jack is an exceptional cricketer for us. He’s calm, calculated and talented which he demonstrated perfectly in that run chase.
“I thought he paced his innings perfectly and took away any nerves in a potentially tricky chase. He makes a huge difference to our team when his work commitments allow,” Hayward continued.
The incoming Dauntsey’s school cricket coach hit a six and seven fours, getting South Wilts off to a steady start alongside Jack Stearman (18) before linking up with Hayward (36) in a third-wicket partnership which effectively sealed the victory.
“He stood to bowlers he’s never kept wicket to before and I couldn’t fault him all day. It’s great to be able to call on the likes of Sam when needed.”
Mynott led South Wilts’ successful run chase with a fine unbeaten 75 and will clearly be a key component at the business end of the season.
“Jack is an exceptional cricketer for us. He’s calm, calculated and talented which he demonstrated perfectly in that run chase.
“I thought he paced his innings perfectly and took away any nerves in a potentially tricky chase. He makes a huge difference to our team when his work commitments allow,” Hayward continued.
The incoming Dauntsey’s school cricket coach hit a six and seven fours, getting South Wilts off to a steady start alongside Jack Stearman (18) before linking up with Hayward (36) in a third-wicket partnership which effectively sealed the victory.
Jack Mynott on his way to 75 not out.
South Wilts raised left-arm quick Josh Croom had to be content with the solitary scalp of Stearman, who was caught behind by Mumford. His six-over spell cost 35 runs.
Hayward concluded: “It was a very pleasing win against a strong team, credit to the Academy who worked hard all day and pushed us hard.”
“All being well, Draper and the (flu stricken) Tom Morton will be back for the Havant match on Saturday.
“Being just a team member with no responsibilities, I’ve got used to not having to worry about power plays and free hits, so I’ll happily hand the captain’s armband back.”
Hayward concluded: “It was a very pleasing win against a strong team, credit to the Academy who worked hard all day and pushed us hard.”
“All being well, Draper and the (flu stricken) Tom Morton will be back for the Havant match on Saturday.
“Being just a team member with no responsibilities, I’ve got used to not having to worry about power plays and free hits, so I’ll happily hand the captain’s armband back.”
