 Harry Gadd |  Peter Hopson |
outh Wilts assumed the mantle of ECB Southern Premier Division leaders after beating Havant by four wickets in their opening Time pennant match at Bemerton.
The win gives them a solitary one point lead over Lymington, who were involved in a ‘losing draw’ against the Hampshire Academy.
South Wilts, who visit Burridge on Saturday, took control in the periods immediately before and after lunch against Havant, the club with whom they have enjoyed many a title tussle in the past decade.
Teenager Harry Gadd (46) and Peter Hopson (45) steered the visitors to 108-1, but having seen their rate of scoring curbed in the lead up to lunch, the pair promptly departed in quick succession soon after the break.
Luke Evans, (left) who finished with figures of 4-29, triggered a massive collapse when he had Gadd caught.
Havant promptly lost their last eight wickets for 57 runs and were all out for 165 – James Hayward’s 4-36 return including the key scalps of Hopson, Chris Morgan and Jez Bulled.
South Wilts appeared set for a comfortable win when Tom Morton (44) steered their reply to 88-1, but Morgan (3-36) prompted a wobble which saw four wickets tumble for 18 runs and the reply to 107-5.
Brink of victory
With the game in the balance, Joe Cranch, with an unbeaten run-a-ball 38, and teenager Raff Hussey (20) put together a match winning stand of 57 which took South Wilts to the brink of victory.
Havant skipper Chris Stone criticised his side’s post match batting performance.
He said: “We had made a promising start but after lunch we were incredibly poor with the bat. It was massively disappointing because in our position it was a good opportunity to go on and win the game. To only score 160 was incredibly poor.
“Even then our bowlers, as they have done all season, performed well as a unit.
“When we had them 107-5 we had a sniff of a chance. We weren't a million miles away from winning the game. In the end, though, we didn't have enough runs to defend.”
Havant have won two and lost two of their Premier Division games so far and Stone admits they need greater consistency.
“When we are at our best we are are capable of beating any of the top teams,” he said. “At the moment we keep having wobbles and don't give ourselves the best chance. Once we establish some consistency we have the quality to cause opponents huge problems.”
The win gives them a solitary one point lead over Lymington, who were involved in a ‘losing draw’ against the Hampshire Academy.
South Wilts, who visit Burridge on Saturday, took control in the periods immediately before and after lunch against Havant, the club with whom they have enjoyed many a title tussle in the past decade.
Teenager Harry Gadd (46) and Peter Hopson (45) steered the visitors to 108-1, but having seen their rate of scoring curbed in the lead up to lunch, the pair promptly departed in quick succession soon after the break.
Luke Evans, (left) who finished with figures of 4-29, triggered a massive collapse when he had Gadd caught.
Havant promptly lost their last eight wickets for 57 runs and were all out for 165 – James Hayward’s 4-36 return including the key scalps of Hopson, Chris Morgan and Jez Bulled.
South Wilts appeared set for a comfortable win when Tom Morton (44) steered their reply to 88-1, but Morgan (3-36) prompted a wobble which saw four wickets tumble for 18 runs and the reply to 107-5.
Brink of victory
With the game in the balance, Joe Cranch, with an unbeaten run-a-ball 38, and teenager Raff Hussey (20) put together a match winning stand of 57 which took South Wilts to the brink of victory.
Havant skipper Chris Stone criticised his side’s post match batting performance.
He said: “We had made a promising start but after lunch we were incredibly poor with the bat. It was massively disappointing because in our position it was a good opportunity to go on and win the game. To only score 160 was incredibly poor.
“Even then our bowlers, as they have done all season, performed well as a unit.
“When we had them 107-5 we had a sniff of a chance. We weren't a million miles away from winning the game. In the end, though, we didn't have enough runs to defend.”
Havant have won two and lost two of their Premier Division games so far and Stone admits they need greater consistency.
“When we are at our best we are are capable of beating any of the top teams,” he said. “At the moment we keep having wobbles and don't give ourselves the best chance. Once we establish some consistency we have the quality to cause opponents huge problems.”
 James Hayward Photos by kind permission of Roy Honeybone |  Joe Cranch |
