 Arthur Godsal on his way to a maiden century [Roy Honeybone] ... |  ... and striving for a three-wicket haul. |
With only 18 points separating the top four teams, South Wilts have every chance of forcing their way into the ECB Southern Premier League championship race - if they can beat Lymington in front of Saturday's vice-presidents day diners.
Emphatic back-to-back wins over Alton and Basingstoke & North Hants have rekindled confidence and pushed South Wilts back into the limelight and with a far more balanced look, skipper Tom Morton believes his side could get into the mix.
"Jack Mynott returning from his teaching assignment in Kenya, young Jack Stearman finishing his A-levels and Ryan Murray back fit is a triple boost for us and lengthened our batting considerably," Morton said.
"Beating Lymington on Saturday is key for us. We suffered a low scoring defeat down there, but they are on a high with seven wins in ten and have taken the league by surprise, having finished second from bottom last year."
But when the VPs tuck into their smoked salmon much of the conversation will surely surround the electric form of Arthur Godsal, who celebrated his maiden century in last week’s win at Basingstoke, just seven days after demolishing Alton before lunch with a six-wicket blast.
Godsal’s promotion to number three in the SW batting order has been a stroke of genius by Morton, who played alongside the Southampton Solent University student during his time with Middlesex County League champions Ealing.
“Arthur has not had many opportunities in the past to underline his batting credentials,” Morton explained.
“He was selected for Middlesex junior age groups a year or two ahead and consequently batted down the order with increased emphasis placed on his bowling.
“But when the opportunity to bat three for us came long he jumped at the chance and showed everyone what he was capable of at May’s Bounty.
Job to be done
Godsal struck his maiden hundred after Morton himself had plundered a typically aggressive 38 (eight fours) before becoming one of six victims for Kz Natal all-rounder Brad Porteous (6-71).
Godsal hit 16 boundaries before handing the baton to teenager Jack Stearman, whose 46 not out, aided by Ben Draper’s 25, guided South Wilts to 258 all out.
The ex-Ealing man wasn’t finished. There was still a job to be done with the ball.
Showered and refreshed, Godsal (3-16) grabbed three quick wickets to leave Basingstoke rocking at 30-4, Max Harsham, Josh May and the injured David Griffiths (calf) all bagging ducks.
Jordan Hobday (44) dug in, but only Brad Neal (24), Joe Oates (22) and Chris Jolley (21) also managed double figures before Ryan Murray (3-31) and Jack Mynott (2-6) ended the innings at 134.
Emphatic back-to-back wins over Alton and Basingstoke & North Hants have rekindled confidence and pushed South Wilts back into the limelight and with a far more balanced look, skipper Tom Morton believes his side could get into the mix.
"Jack Mynott returning from his teaching assignment in Kenya, young Jack Stearman finishing his A-levels and Ryan Murray back fit is a triple boost for us and lengthened our batting considerably," Morton said.
"Beating Lymington on Saturday is key for us. We suffered a low scoring defeat down there, but they are on a high with seven wins in ten and have taken the league by surprise, having finished second from bottom last year."
But when the VPs tuck into their smoked salmon much of the conversation will surely surround the electric form of Arthur Godsal, who celebrated his maiden century in last week’s win at Basingstoke, just seven days after demolishing Alton before lunch with a six-wicket blast.
Godsal’s promotion to number three in the SW batting order has been a stroke of genius by Morton, who played alongside the Southampton Solent University student during his time with Middlesex County League champions Ealing.
“Arthur has not had many opportunities in the past to underline his batting credentials,” Morton explained.
“He was selected for Middlesex junior age groups a year or two ahead and consequently batted down the order with increased emphasis placed on his bowling.
“But when the opportunity to bat three for us came long he jumped at the chance and showed everyone what he was capable of at May’s Bounty.
Job to be done
Godsal struck his maiden hundred after Morton himself had plundered a typically aggressive 38 (eight fours) before becoming one of six victims for Kz Natal all-rounder Brad Porteous (6-71).
Godsal hit 16 boundaries before handing the baton to teenager Jack Stearman, whose 46 not out, aided by Ben Draper’s 25, guided South Wilts to 258 all out.
The ex-Ealing man wasn’t finished. There was still a job to be done with the ball.
Showered and refreshed, Godsal (3-16) grabbed three quick wickets to leave Basingstoke rocking at 30-4, Max Harsham, Josh May and the injured David Griffiths (calf) all bagging ducks.
Jordan Hobday (44) dug in, but only Brad Neal (24), Joe Oates (22) and Chris Jolley (21) also managed double figures before Ryan Murray (3-31) and Jack Mynott (2-6) ended the innings at 134.
 South African Brad Porteous took 6-71 for Basingstoke & North Hants [Roy Honeybone] and, right, South Wilts teenager Jack Stearman made a handy 44* after completing his Russian A-level examinations at Gillingham School. |  |
