A four-wicket defeat by a Ricky Rawlins inspired Sarisbury Athletic has almost ended St Cross second team’s hopes of surviving relegation from Division 1.
Michael Howarth (50) and Dave Orchard (30 not out) hauled St Cross out of the mire of 45-5 and piloted them to 164-9 at Allotment Road, where Dylan Clark (29) made useful runs.
Aaron Hockey took 3-15 to have Sarisbury wobbling at 39-4, but an unbeaten 84 by Rawlins turned things around and gave fellow strugglers Sarisbury a priceless victory. He hit a six and nine fours.
A tenth defeat in 12 outings has left St Cross Symondians II, promoted in 2019 as SPL2 runners-up, 31 points adrift of the nearest safety rung, with two to play - in their case at home to Rowledge and away to relegation haunted Andover on the final day of the season, August 28. If they lose to Rowledge at the Green Jackets on Saturday they will be down.
For their own part, Sarisbury are effectively 12 points ahead of Andover, who go Basingstoke & North Hants needing to win. Sarisbury are at Sparsholt.
Michael Howarth (50) and Dave Orchard (30 not out) hauled St Cross out of the mire of 45-5 and piloted them to 164-9 at Allotment Road, where Dylan Clark (29) made useful runs.
Aaron Hockey took 3-15 to have Sarisbury wobbling at 39-4, but an unbeaten 84 by Rawlins turned things around and gave fellow strugglers Sarisbury a priceless victory. He hit a six and nine fours.
A tenth defeat in 12 outings has left St Cross Symondians II, promoted in 2019 as SPL2 runners-up, 31 points adrift of the nearest safety rung, with two to play - in their case at home to Rowledge and away to relegation haunted Andover on the final day of the season, August 28. If they lose to Rowledge at the Green Jackets on Saturday they will be down.
For their own part, Sarisbury are effectively 12 points ahead of Andover, who go Basingstoke & North Hants needing to win. Sarisbury are at Sparsholt.