A collapse which saw Portsmouth lose nine wickets for 77 runs was the catalyst for the city club’s four-wicket defeat by Southern Premier League Division One rivals Sparsholt at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Portsmouth appeared to be ticking along nicely at 108-1 after a bright start by Ben Duggan (62) and Tom Wallis (29), but directly Australian Fraser Hay (19) fell to a low down return catch by Jeremy Frith (3-27) they collapsed.
Three wickets fell for two runs before Dan Wallis (27) battened down the hatches, but they were eventually bowled out for 185.
The outcome was back in the balance when Frith (39) fell at 95-4, but Dave Banks (52) and Tim Vokes (45) produced timely knocks to steer Sparsholt to victory.
Portsmouth appeared to be ticking along nicely at 108-1 after a bright start by Ben Duggan (62) and Tom Wallis (29), but directly Australian Fraser Hay (19) fell to a low down return catch by Jeremy Frith (3-27) they collapsed.
Three wickets fell for two runs before Dan Wallis (27) battened down the hatches, but they were eventually bowled out for 185.
The outcome was back in the balance when Frith (39) fell at 95-4, but Dave Banks (52) and Tim Vokes (45) produced timely knocks to steer Sparsholt to victory.