A triumphant and relieved Southampton Solent University Back (from left): Dimitri Adams, Ollie Collins, Ollie Lovejoy, Arthur Godsal, Luke Evans, Ryan Murray, Richard Lock, Richard Browning (Coach). Front: Brighton Mugochi, Ryan Scott, Matt Stokes, Bryce Hounsome, Jamie Piper
Southampton Solent pulled a massive ‘Get out of Jail’ card from the pack to preserve their cherished ten-year stay at the top level of British Universities cricket.
Their immediate future in the BUCS Premier Division playing established MCCUs like Durham, Leeds & Bradford, Loughborough and Oxford was in jeopardy after they failed to win a single match of a rain truncated season.
Having finished bottom of the table they were forced into a winner-take-all National Promotion play-off against Bournemouth, who had won all six matches to top the South group.
When it came to the crunch the Solent students finally cracked it, beating Bournemouth by 24 runs in an amazing game that produced a staggering 660 runs and three centuries of outstanding quality.
Solent piled up an imposing 344-4, with Matt Stokes hitting an undefeated 151 (three sixes and 18 fours) and Bryce Hounsome 123.
They shared an opening stand of 230 and guided Solent to what appeared an unassailable position.
When Bournemouth lost wickets in the opening 20 overs, the odds were stacked heavily in Solent’s favour – until Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Tim Taylor (60) launched a stirring comeback.
With drizzle in the rain and conditions deteriorating, Bournemouth attacked relentlessly, with former Sparsholt batsman Sam Kennett hitting a career best 114 not out off 92 balls and Lou Kear 41.
But, much to Solent’s relief, the bowling bombardment ended with Bournemouth 316-9 and 24 runs short.
Their immediate future in the BUCS Premier Division playing established MCCUs like Durham, Leeds & Bradford, Loughborough and Oxford was in jeopardy after they failed to win a single match of a rain truncated season.
Having finished bottom of the table they were forced into a winner-take-all National Promotion play-off against Bournemouth, who had won all six matches to top the South group.
When it came to the crunch the Solent students finally cracked it, beating Bournemouth by 24 runs in an amazing game that produced a staggering 660 runs and three centuries of outstanding quality.
Solent piled up an imposing 344-4, with Matt Stokes hitting an undefeated 151 (three sixes and 18 fours) and Bryce Hounsome 123.
They shared an opening stand of 230 and guided Solent to what appeared an unassailable position.
When Bournemouth lost wickets in the opening 20 overs, the odds were stacked heavily in Solent’s favour – until Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Tim Taylor (60) launched a stirring comeback.
With drizzle in the rain and conditions deteriorating, Bournemouth attacked relentlessly, with former Sparsholt batsman Sam Kennett hitting a career best 114 not out off 92 balls and Lou Kear 41.
But, much to Solent’s relief, the bowling bombardment ended with Bournemouth 316-9 and 24 runs short.
Matt Stokes, career best 150* for Solent
Bashley-Rydal's Sam Kennett hits back with maiden century for Bournemouth. [Pictures Roy Honeybone]
