Ben Johns hit his third British Gas Southern League century, but was unable to prevent Basingstoke & North Hants from making it back-to-back wins with a 53-run victory over Division One rivals Calmore Sports at May’s Bounty.
The left-handed Johns fought virtually a long vigil, with 100, as Calmore toiled in the wake of Basingstoke’s 241-8.
“I was impressed with Ben,” said former Hampshire & Kent cricketer avid Griffiths, who is now player/coach at Basingstoke.
“He played in his strong areas, punching shots through the off-side, nothing elaborate.”
Calmore’s Canada-bound left-armer Steve Wright (2-16) removed Joe Oates and Dan Belcher (14) in a tidy new-ball spell
Chris Oliver (32) and Will Phillips moved the score to 86, being parted after Oliver was trapped leg before by Mark Lavelle.
Phillips continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, as Dean Nurse and Mitch Stokes had brief stays at the centre.
With the score on 103-5, the home side needed a big partnership and it duly arrived thanks to Phillips (79) and Griffiths (71)
Calmore got off to the worst possible start as Mitch Stokes (3-28) bowled skipper Mark Lavelle first ball.
Fellow opener Tamlyn Goodrich (11) lasted a little longer, but at 17-2 they already looked in trouble.
Wickets continue to fall as Martyn James and Ryan Connor joined the party as Calmore slipped to 63-5.
A couple of dismissals from spin king Matt Thankachan (2-42) kept the pressure up as the visitors reached 85-7.
It was left to Ben Johns, left above, with a century and Liam Newton (39) to add nearly 100 runs to the score in an excellent eighth wicket stand. However, it proved not to be enough as the visitors finished on 188-8.
The left-handed Johns fought virtually a long vigil, with 100, as Calmore toiled in the wake of Basingstoke’s 241-8.
“I was impressed with Ben,” said former Hampshire & Kent cricketer avid Griffiths, who is now player/coach at Basingstoke.
“He played in his strong areas, punching shots through the off-side, nothing elaborate.”
Calmore’s Canada-bound left-armer Steve Wright (2-16) removed Joe Oates and Dan Belcher (14) in a tidy new-ball spell
Chris Oliver (32) and Will Phillips moved the score to 86, being parted after Oliver was trapped leg before by Mark Lavelle.
Phillips continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, as Dean Nurse and Mitch Stokes had brief stays at the centre.
With the score on 103-5, the home side needed a big partnership and it duly arrived thanks to Phillips (79) and Griffiths (71)
Calmore got off to the worst possible start as Mitch Stokes (3-28) bowled skipper Mark Lavelle first ball.
Fellow opener Tamlyn Goodrich (11) lasted a little longer, but at 17-2 they already looked in trouble.
Wickets continue to fall as Martyn James and Ryan Connor joined the party as Calmore slipped to 63-5.
A couple of dismissals from spin king Matt Thankachan (2-42) kept the pressure up as the visitors reached 85-7.
It was left to Ben Johns, left above, with a century and Liam Newton (39) to add nearly 100 runs to the score in an excellent eighth wicket stand. However, it proved not to be enough as the visitors finished on 188-8.
