Hook & Newnham Basics are off the mark in the ECB Southern Premier League courtesy of a 59-run win over Totton & Eling at the KGV.
It was their first success after four rounds of 50-over ‘white ball’ cricket and came the week before Hook begin an entirely new venture – all-day ‘time’ cricket, starting at Havant on Saturday, 11am.
It will be Hook’s first taste of 120-over cricket, the opportunity for the Basics players to bat long and utilize the spin talents of Aniket Divecha, who will be able to bowl 18 overs.
Ben Thane gave his Hook team-mates a lesson in how to build an innings when he underpinned their 278-7 with a splendid 92 against Totton & Eling.
In and out of cricket for the past two seasons with knee and muscular injuries, Thane hit a six and 12 fours before being trapped leg before by Jaidel Richardson at 154-3 having spent a key 109-ball vigil at the crease.
Thane certainly had to knuckle down as the pacey Thomas Vardey (3-58) knocked over Josh Buckingham and Harry Robson before running out Matt Love to leave Hook 84-3.
Matt Buckingham (31), who was later to play an important role with the ball, played a support role for Thane before Harry Warner emerged from the KGV pavilion to strike nine fours in a breezy 60 not out which, with Max Simpson chipping in, pushed Hook towards their winning total.
It was their first success after four rounds of 50-over ‘white ball’ cricket and came the week before Hook begin an entirely new venture – all-day ‘time’ cricket, starting at Havant on Saturday, 11am.
It will be Hook’s first taste of 120-over cricket, the opportunity for the Basics players to bat long and utilize the spin talents of Aniket Divecha, who will be able to bowl 18 overs.
Ben Thane gave his Hook team-mates a lesson in how to build an innings when he underpinned their 278-7 with a splendid 92 against Totton & Eling.
In and out of cricket for the past two seasons with knee and muscular injuries, Thane hit a six and 12 fours before being trapped leg before by Jaidel Richardson at 154-3 having spent a key 109-ball vigil at the crease.
Thane certainly had to knuckle down as the pacey Thomas Vardey (3-58) knocked over Josh Buckingham and Harry Robson before running out Matt Love to leave Hook 84-3.
Matt Buckingham (31), who was later to play an important role with the ball, played a support role for Thane before Harry Warner emerged from the KGV pavilion to strike nine fours in a breezy 60 not out which, with Max Simpson chipping in, pushed Hook towards their winning total.
Totton, minus suspended spin all-rounder Ethan Taylor, suffered an immediate setback when Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton was bowled fifth ball by Simpson (3-38).
But it set the stage for Totton’s former Berkshire all-rounder Harry Stephens to show off his batting prowess. He shared a century stand with Conor Griffiths (28) as the visitors began to threaten at 151-2.
Switching to Matt Buckingham’s seam proved decisive as three Totton wickets fell for four runs, Griffiths and Taylor departing to the captain’s brother before Owen Morris was run out 155-5 made it a different ball game.
At 179, Stephens fell for a fine 101 (two sixes and 12 fours) leaving Richardson (30) to keep the game alive.
Buckingham was to have the final say, finishing with 5-36 – his maiden five-wicket haul in any form of cricket !
But it set the stage for Totton’s former Berkshire all-rounder Harry Stephens to show off his batting prowess. He shared a century stand with Conor Griffiths (28) as the visitors began to threaten at 151-2.
Switching to Matt Buckingham’s seam proved decisive as three Totton wickets fell for four runs, Griffiths and Taylor departing to the captain’s brother before Owen Morris was run out 155-5 made it a different ball game.
At 179, Stephens fell for a fine 101 (two sixes and 12 fours) leaving Richardson (30) to keep the game alive.
Buckingham was to have the final say, finishing with 5-36 – his maiden five-wicket haul in any form of cricket !