Jack Mynott on the pull - Roy Honeybone
South Wilts lifted the curtain on the new cricket season with a bang - a staggering 1,056 runs being scored during an Easter weekend Bemerton batting bonanza.
Jack Mynott and Joe Cranch, in particular, caught the eye as South Wilts stole a march on all their upcoming ECB Southern Premier League rivals by playing probably the earliest club cricket ever in the region over the first weekend in April.
They have another three weekends of competitive warm-up matches before the SPL campaign begins with a visit to Bemerton of reigning 2019 SPL champions Bashley (Rydal) on May 1.
South Wilts played an intra-club game before hosting Southampton Solent University, whom they beat by 22 runs in a 45-over match.
Mynott took full advantage, following his 69 in the club match with a classy 92 against the Solent students, the prominent off-spin all-rounder hitting three sixes and nine fours in his innings, which laid the foundation for South Wilts to post a formidable 300-6.
Arthur Godsal, who hardly played last summer, made his mark too with a blistering nine-four 64 against the students, having got his eye in with 40 the previous day. Skipper Ben Draper made 35 and 40 in the two matches.
Solent certainly gave South Wilts a run for their money, with Alton left-hander Tom South striking a fluent 82 (four sixes and nine fours) and sharing a century-plus partnership with former Torquay batsman James Degg (54).
Hampshire Academy scholar James Trodd kept Solent’s hopes alive, underlining how much his batting has improved with a finely struck 62 – his first significant score in local cricket since his days as an Under-13 in the Old Tauntonians & Romsey colts set-up !
Godsal (3-54) broke through at the crucial time, mopping up the tail to leave Solent a commendable 278 all out.
Crouch, meanwhile, hit 93 and exciting Millfield sporting prospect Ben Howgrave-Graham, who made 55. He also plays centre for the Bath Academy rugby team.
• South Wilts continue their pre-season warm-up against Corsham at Bemerton on Saturday, while the second team hosts Calmore Sports on the Academy pitch, both matches starting at noon.
Jack Mynott and Joe Cranch, in particular, caught the eye as South Wilts stole a march on all their upcoming ECB Southern Premier League rivals by playing probably the earliest club cricket ever in the region over the first weekend in April.
They have another three weekends of competitive warm-up matches before the SPL campaign begins with a visit to Bemerton of reigning 2019 SPL champions Bashley (Rydal) on May 1.
South Wilts played an intra-club game before hosting Southampton Solent University, whom they beat by 22 runs in a 45-over match.
Mynott took full advantage, following his 69 in the club match with a classy 92 against the Solent students, the prominent off-spin all-rounder hitting three sixes and nine fours in his innings, which laid the foundation for South Wilts to post a formidable 300-6.
Arthur Godsal, who hardly played last summer, made his mark too with a blistering nine-four 64 against the students, having got his eye in with 40 the previous day. Skipper Ben Draper made 35 and 40 in the two matches.
Solent certainly gave South Wilts a run for their money, with Alton left-hander Tom South striking a fluent 82 (four sixes and nine fours) and sharing a century-plus partnership with former Torquay batsman James Degg (54).
Hampshire Academy scholar James Trodd kept Solent’s hopes alive, underlining how much his batting has improved with a finely struck 62 – his first significant score in local cricket since his days as an Under-13 in the Old Tauntonians & Romsey colts set-up !
Godsal (3-54) broke through at the crucial time, mopping up the tail to leave Solent a commendable 278 all out.
Crouch, meanwhile, hit 93 and exciting Millfield sporting prospect Ben Howgrave-Graham, who made 55. He also plays centre for the Bath Academy rugby team.
• South Wilts continue their pre-season warm-up against Corsham at Bemerton on Saturday, while the second team hosts Calmore Sports on the Academy pitch, both matches starting at noon.
Joe Cranch in imperious Easter form [Roy Honeybone]
