Joe Krooner-Evans ripped through Havant top order [The News]
Portsmouth held their nerve to claim a morale-boosting victory over Havant in their final pre-season friendly ahead of Saturday’s Southern Premier League Division 1 opener at Rowledge.
After looking on course for a big win at one point, the Southsea hosts eventually prevailed in a dramatic encounter by just two runs at St Helens.
After posting 205-6 in 45 overs, Portsmouth struck early – former PGS captain Joe Kooner-Evans (4-33) dismissing opener Jeremy Bulled for a single. Fellow opener Ben Walker (27) and George Metzger (20) couldn’t build on their starts as Havant lurched to 96-6 and 111-7.
Skipper Chris Morgan (49) top scored before he was bowled by Kooner-Evans, but a 10th wicket stand then threatened to give Havant a remarkable victory.
Coming together at 155-9, tailenders Alfie Taw (29 not out) and Bobby Gurden (17 off 25) put on 48,
They only needed three more for victory when Dan Wallis - the seventh bowler used by skipper Ben Duggan - struck with his 11th delivery, Gurden caught by Harrison Webb.
Jack Marston had earlier continued his bright pre-season form. After scoring 45 (v Liphook) and 71 (v Portsmouth University), Marston top scored with 69.
He put on 55 for the first wicket with Duggan (27) and 86 for the second with Alex Hammond (52).
Havant handed a debut to former Hampshire Academy seamer Sonny Reynolds (6-1-27-0), while left-arm spinner Freddie Gadd (4-27 off nine overs) was their chief wicket-taker.
After looking on course for a big win at one point, the Southsea hosts eventually prevailed in a dramatic encounter by just two runs at St Helens.
After posting 205-6 in 45 overs, Portsmouth struck early – former PGS captain Joe Kooner-Evans (4-33) dismissing opener Jeremy Bulled for a single. Fellow opener Ben Walker (27) and George Metzger (20) couldn’t build on their starts as Havant lurched to 96-6 and 111-7.
Skipper Chris Morgan (49) top scored before he was bowled by Kooner-Evans, but a 10th wicket stand then threatened to give Havant a remarkable victory.
Coming together at 155-9, tailenders Alfie Taw (29 not out) and Bobby Gurden (17 off 25) put on 48,
They only needed three more for victory when Dan Wallis - the seventh bowler used by skipper Ben Duggan - struck with his 11th delivery, Gurden caught by Harrison Webb.
Jack Marston had earlier continued his bright pre-season form. After scoring 45 (v Liphook) and 71 (v Portsmouth University), Marston top scored with 69.
He put on 55 for the first wicket with Duggan (27) and 86 for the second with Alex Hammond (52).
Havant handed a debut to former Hampshire Academy seamer Sonny Reynolds (6-1-27-0), while left-arm spinner Freddie Gadd (4-27 off nine overs) was their chief wicket-taker.
