Jimmy Adams square cuts Havant spinner Brad Taylor for four. Jon Player picture.
Hampshire’s Jimmy Adams hit a chanceless, unbeaten century to steer St Cross Symondians through a nervous late wobble and to an enthralling three-wicket victory over ECB British Gas Southern Premier Division champions Havant at the Green Jackets Ground.
The left-hander, who joined the Winchester club as a colt long before his county days began, struck a no risk 107 not out as St Cross successfully chased down Havant’s 265-8.
“I always enjoy coming back here to play at my club where it all began for me a long time ago now,” he said.
“From a personal perspective it was important to spend time in the middle against a very competitive attack and to guide the lads to victory was obviously a plus.”
For all the while he enjoyed the company of opening partner Tom Foyle (45) and Dutchman Logan van Beek (55), it looked as though Adams would guide St Cross to a comfortable win.
But those 100 runs off the last 20 overs targets are seldom as straightforward as they might seem – as Hampshire prospect Brad Taylor (3-47) proved when he took three wickets in four balls late in the game to create jitters in the home camp.
Adams, who struck 12 fours, watched helplessly at the non-striker’s end as St Cross slipped from the comforts of 245-3 (Harry Came 25) to 245-6.
But James Marsh, hobbling on one leg after twisting his knee in a fielding accident, quickly biffed three boundaries and with Adams bringing up his ton, St Cross got home.
Havant fought all the way before conceding a second defeat in four 50-over ‘white ball’ matches.
They ran into early difficulty after being sent in, with Channel Islander Matt Stokes (5-48) having he champions wobbling at 46-4.
But Ben Walker (59) and Josh McCoy (79) arrested the slide with a 137-run stand which was to underpin the innings.
Stu Ransley (35) and Richard Hindley (22) later added precious runs to provide Havant with a competitive total.
St Cross got off to a typical Tom Foyle (45) flier – a six and seven fours coming off the left-hander’s bat – and were ahead of the run rate from that point.
Adams and van Beek then put on 99, but that three-wicket maiden by Taylor made it a nervy finish to a splendid game.
The win lifted St Cross into third place ahead of Saturday’s demanding visit to Lymington, the first of the season’s Time Pennant matches.
The left-hander, who joined the Winchester club as a colt long before his county days began, struck a no risk 107 not out as St Cross successfully chased down Havant’s 265-8.
“I always enjoy coming back here to play at my club where it all began for me a long time ago now,” he said.
“From a personal perspective it was important to spend time in the middle against a very competitive attack and to guide the lads to victory was obviously a plus.”
For all the while he enjoyed the company of opening partner Tom Foyle (45) and Dutchman Logan van Beek (55), it looked as though Adams would guide St Cross to a comfortable win.
But those 100 runs off the last 20 overs targets are seldom as straightforward as they might seem – as Hampshire prospect Brad Taylor (3-47) proved when he took three wickets in four balls late in the game to create jitters in the home camp.
Adams, who struck 12 fours, watched helplessly at the non-striker’s end as St Cross slipped from the comforts of 245-3 (Harry Came 25) to 245-6.
But James Marsh, hobbling on one leg after twisting his knee in a fielding accident, quickly biffed three boundaries and with Adams bringing up his ton, St Cross got home.
Havant fought all the way before conceding a second defeat in four 50-over ‘white ball’ matches.
They ran into early difficulty after being sent in, with Channel Islander Matt Stokes (5-48) having he champions wobbling at 46-4.
But Ben Walker (59) and Josh McCoy (79) arrested the slide with a 137-run stand which was to underpin the innings.
Stu Ransley (35) and Richard Hindley (22) later added precious runs to provide Havant with a competitive total.
St Cross got off to a typical Tom Foyle (45) flier – a six and seven fours coming off the left-hander’s bat – and were ahead of the run rate from that point.
Adams and van Beek then put on 99, but that three-wicket maiden by Taylor made it a nervy finish to a splendid game.
The win lifted St Cross into third place ahead of Saturday’s demanding visit to Lymington, the first of the season’s Time Pennant matches.
