Josh Buckingham, seven sixes at the seaside [Dave Vokes]
Matt Buckingham, 12 fours Josh Buckingham launched an astonishing Southsea seafront six-hit assault to lead Hook & Newnham Basics clear from a top order batting collapse to a pulsating three-wicket win over Southern Premier Division 1 title rivals Portsmouth at St Helen’s.
Table topping Hook were rocking at 14-3 and later 46-4 in pursuit of Portsmouth’s 191 when Buckingham arrived at the crease.
With brother Matt (58) alongside he steadied the ship, easing Hook to 125 before Andrew Marston (3-36) broke the stand with a return catch.
When the lanky left-arm spinner took two wickets in quick succession, Hook were back in the mire at 137-7. And Portsmouth were scenting a victory that would have seriously lightened Hook’s stranglehold on top place.
Cue Josh Buckingham to launch a blistering six-hit assault on spinner Faiad Ahmed, who was struck twice clean over the St Helen’s pavilion in consecutive deliveries before a third ‘maximum’ smashed straight into the clock.
Time stood still as Buckingham then launched Fraser Hay for a straight six – his unbeaten 85, aided by sensible support from young Will Gardner, sweeping Hook to a victory that takes them 30 points clear (of Sparsholt) at the top of SPL1.
In all, Josh Buckingham hit seven maximums and six fours, brother Matt keeping the ball on the floor with 12 boundary strikes in his 58.
Portsmouth had similarly found it hard going up front. Taking over the mantle from the injured Martin James, Jack Murrell (4-32) ploughed into Portsmouth’s top order, reducing the city side to 75-5 (Hay 25).
Some thoughtful and watchful batting by Dan Wallis (28), Alex Hammond (25) and Henry Woolf (22) revived fortunes before Daniel Moore’s 5-26 ripped through the tail.
Trip advisor: Jan Hay’s jam and cream scones 5*
Table topping Hook were rocking at 14-3 and later 46-4 in pursuit of Portsmouth’s 191 when Buckingham arrived at the crease.
With brother Matt (58) alongside he steadied the ship, easing Hook to 125 before Andrew Marston (3-36) broke the stand with a return catch.
When the lanky left-arm spinner took two wickets in quick succession, Hook were back in the mire at 137-7. And Portsmouth were scenting a victory that would have seriously lightened Hook’s stranglehold on top place.
Cue Josh Buckingham to launch a blistering six-hit assault on spinner Faiad Ahmed, who was struck twice clean over the St Helen’s pavilion in consecutive deliveries before a third ‘maximum’ smashed straight into the clock.
Time stood still as Buckingham then launched Fraser Hay for a straight six – his unbeaten 85, aided by sensible support from young Will Gardner, sweeping Hook to a victory that takes them 30 points clear (of Sparsholt) at the top of SPL1.
In all, Josh Buckingham hit seven maximums and six fours, brother Matt keeping the ball on the floor with 12 boundary strikes in his 58.
Portsmouth had similarly found it hard going up front. Taking over the mantle from the injured Martin James, Jack Murrell (4-32) ploughed into Portsmouth’s top order, reducing the city side to 75-5 (Hay 25).
Some thoughtful and watchful batting by Dan Wallis (28), Alex Hammond (25) and Henry Woolf (22) revived fortunes before Daniel Moore’s 5-26 ripped through the tail.
Trip advisor: Jan Hay’s jam and cream scones 5*
