Melville all-rounder Fraser Hay struck a magnificent century to guide Portsmouth to a 51-run Southern Premier League Division One win against Andover at St Helens, Southsea.
He came to the rescue with the city side floundering at 52-5, Babu Veettil (3-37) removing three of the top four.
But Hay, pictured, whose successful season in WACA Grade cricket was almost climaxed by a Perth Scorchers BBL pick, turned the tide in dramatic fashion, cracking five sixes and 16 fours in an innings of 135 which pointed Portsmouth to 248, a total that had looked most unlikely early on.
Importantly, he received tremendous support from the lower end batsmen who stuck with him.
They helped Portsmouth set a target of 248 runs something that had seemed extremely unlikely earlier on.
Portsmouth captain Jack Marston lauded the talents of the Perth star, now in his fourth season with the club.
“Fraser's innings was pretty special and probably his best ever for us,' said Marston.
“We were in a lot of trouble at 52-5 but all the time he was at the wicket we felt we had a chance.
“At first he batted sensibly with the lower order and then when we lost more wickets he just exploded.
“I don't think there is anyone else who hits the ball as hard as he does in our league.
“As a bowler if you are slightly off line or length he will hit you to the boundary. That puts a lot of pressure on the opposition bowlers.
'He was hitting some ridiculous shots at the end. A couple of times he put the ball into the golf course next door.”
Enterprising
Marston added: “Fraser has had a massive impact at the club in his time with us not just on the field.
“He also coaches, serves behind the bar and helped out at barbecues, buying into the whole life of the club.”
James Holder (14), Joseph Kooner-Evans (16), Alex Hammond (14) and Reuben McArdle (14) also played their part in keeping Portsmouth in the game.
Andover lost opening pair Ali Hooper and Lewis McManus cheaply, but rallied through Matt Knight (37) and talented teenage gloveman Alex Ayres, who eventually fell to Dan Wallis (4-18) or an enterprising 78.
Left-arm spinner Andrew Marston chipped in with 3-20 as Andover fell to 197 all out.
The win, their third in succession, lifted Portsmouth up to second in the league behind unbeaten Hook & Newnham Basics.
“A couple of times this season we have won games we could easily have lost,' added Marston. “It shows that there is still a lot of work to be done. We are where we want to be without having played our best cricket.”
He came to the rescue with the city side floundering at 52-5, Babu Veettil (3-37) removing three of the top four.
But Hay, pictured, whose successful season in WACA Grade cricket was almost climaxed by a Perth Scorchers BBL pick, turned the tide in dramatic fashion, cracking five sixes and 16 fours in an innings of 135 which pointed Portsmouth to 248, a total that had looked most unlikely early on.
Importantly, he received tremendous support from the lower end batsmen who stuck with him.
They helped Portsmouth set a target of 248 runs something that had seemed extremely unlikely earlier on.
Portsmouth captain Jack Marston lauded the talents of the Perth star, now in his fourth season with the club.
“Fraser's innings was pretty special and probably his best ever for us,' said Marston.
“We were in a lot of trouble at 52-5 but all the time he was at the wicket we felt we had a chance.
“At first he batted sensibly with the lower order and then when we lost more wickets he just exploded.
“I don't think there is anyone else who hits the ball as hard as he does in our league.
“As a bowler if you are slightly off line or length he will hit you to the boundary. That puts a lot of pressure on the opposition bowlers.
'He was hitting some ridiculous shots at the end. A couple of times he put the ball into the golf course next door.”
Enterprising
Marston added: “Fraser has had a massive impact at the club in his time with us not just on the field.
“He also coaches, serves behind the bar and helped out at barbecues, buying into the whole life of the club.”
James Holder (14), Joseph Kooner-Evans (16), Alex Hammond (14) and Reuben McArdle (14) also played their part in keeping Portsmouth in the game.
Andover lost opening pair Ali Hooper and Lewis McManus cheaply, but rallied through Matt Knight (37) and talented teenage gloveman Alex Ayres, who eventually fell to Dan Wallis (4-18) or an enterprising 78.
Left-arm spinner Andrew Marston chipped in with 3-20 as Andover fell to 197 all out.
The win, their third in succession, lifted Portsmouth up to second in the league behind unbeaten Hook & Newnham Basics.
“A couple of times this season we have won games we could easily have lost,' added Marston. “It shows that there is still a lot of work to be done. We are where we want to be without having played our best cricket.”
