Channel Islands talent Tom Nightingale cracked a magnificent 140 not out as Sarisbury Athletic successfully chased down previously unbeaten Hook & Newnham Basics’ 272-6 at Allotment Road to win by five wickets with 13 balls to spare.
The 20-year old Guernsey product hit three sixes and 14 fours, sharing an unbroken century stand with Jamie Dunn as a first defeat of the season cost Hook the Southern Premier League Division One leadership.
Bournemouth leapfrogged to the front on the back of an easy 107 run win at Portsmouth.
Chasing a fifth straight win, Hook began well through Richard Willcock (69) and Josh Buckingham (32), whose 60-run start was improved by Harry Warner’s league best 82, which included three maximums.
With Mat Buckingham (28) and Jordan Hobday (30 not out) chipping in, Hook took tea with 272-6 (Sam Hill 3-41) on the electronic scoreboard.
Sarisbury’s hearts dropped when skipper Ricky Rawlins was trapped leg before by Shane Brewer’s first ball, but when Nightingale arrived the crease at 41-2, the complexion of the game completely changed.
The Elizabeth College raised teenager, who did spent his A-level years at Lancing and plays ICC World League cricket for Guernsey, shared handy partnerships with Josh Hill (20) and Andrew Ireland (24) as Sarisbury, five down, moved to within 100 of the target.
With young Jamie Dunn (25 not out) a reliable partner, Nightingale upped the stakes, regularly scoring boundaries and eventually carrying Sarisbury home with two overs to spare.
“Tom produced a fantastic innings and showed what a quality player he is,” Rawlins said.
“He is only 20 but this was a very mature innings. He spent time getting used to the pace of the wicket and built his knock.
“He got a 50 in our opening match against Liphook & Ripsley, but has been saying that he can do much better and sometimes puts too much pressure on himself. It was a joy to watch him bat.”
Next up for Nightingale – and Sarisbury Athletic – is a trip to Bournemouth, who opened up an eight-point lead at the top after beating Portsmouth by 107 runs at St Helen’s.
The 20-year old Guernsey product hit three sixes and 14 fours, sharing an unbroken century stand with Jamie Dunn as a first defeat of the season cost Hook the Southern Premier League Division One leadership.
Bournemouth leapfrogged to the front on the back of an easy 107 run win at Portsmouth.
Chasing a fifth straight win, Hook began well through Richard Willcock (69) and Josh Buckingham (32), whose 60-run start was improved by Harry Warner’s league best 82, which included three maximums.
With Mat Buckingham (28) and Jordan Hobday (30 not out) chipping in, Hook took tea with 272-6 (Sam Hill 3-41) on the electronic scoreboard.
Sarisbury’s hearts dropped when skipper Ricky Rawlins was trapped leg before by Shane Brewer’s first ball, but when Nightingale arrived the crease at 41-2, the complexion of the game completely changed.
The Elizabeth College raised teenager, who did spent his A-level years at Lancing and plays ICC World League cricket for Guernsey, shared handy partnerships with Josh Hill (20) and Andrew Ireland (24) as Sarisbury, five down, moved to within 100 of the target.
With young Jamie Dunn (25 not out) a reliable partner, Nightingale upped the stakes, regularly scoring boundaries and eventually carrying Sarisbury home with two overs to spare.
“Tom produced a fantastic innings and showed what a quality player he is,” Rawlins said.
“He is only 20 but this was a very mature innings. He spent time getting used to the pace of the wicket and built his knock.
“He got a 50 in our opening match against Liphook & Ripsley, but has been saying that he can do much better and sometimes puts too much pressure on himself. It was a joy to watch him bat.”
Next up for Nightingale – and Sarisbury Athletic – is a trip to Bournemouth, who opened up an eight-point lead at the top after beating Portsmouth by 107 runs at St Helen’s.