Bashley (Rydal) and Hook & Newnham Basics face delicate and potentially significant team picks in the build up to the final round of ECB Southern Premier League matches on Saturday.
The pair host the two title deciding matches – Bashley against Premier Division leaders St Cross Symondians at the BCG and Hook, who receive the second placed Hampshire Academy at the KGV.
St Cross take a four-point lead deep into the New Forest, while Hook’s game against the Academy is academic as far as they are concerned, HNB’s relegation to SPL1 having been confirmed last weekend.
Despite winning their last four matches, Bashley can finish no higher than fourth, but their attention – like that of Hook & Newnham Basics – may be focused on the plight of their second team, who go into the 18th and final round of matches deep in relegation trouble at the foot of Division 2.
Both clubs may well to tempted to bolster their seconds with first team players, though no more than two are allowed to play. Bashley tried it last weekend against Hambledon and copped a bloody nose in the shape of a 99-run defeat.
The bottom of Division 2 makes fascinating reading, with Fawley (153 points) bottom, but in a position of being able to overhaul both Bashley (163) and Hook (167) if they beat enigmatic Hartley Wintney and their two relegation rivals lose.
Issues
Bashley seconds are at St Cross Symondians and Hook away at Andover, who need six points to clinch the runners-up spot behind Hambledon.
It would be a great shame if what has been an enthralling scrap for the Premier title – and don’t forget, South Wilts aren’t out of it – were to be decided with St Cross or the Academy facing weakened, watered down opposition on the final day of the season.
Bashley seconds, riddled with availability issues all summer long, have used 24 players in their 17 matches - 14 of which they have lost.
Hook have enjoyed tremendous success with their second team in the past two seasons, with consecutive promotions from the Hampshire League and last year SPL3. They have used 23 players this term. They have lost 12 times out of 17.
Is there much fun is losing almost every time you go out of play ? Isn’t it better to find your own level ?
Bashley and Hook are facing a difficult balancing act, do they send out weakened first teams with so much riding on the results or decide to take St Cross Symondians and/or the Hampshire Academy head on ? Or will self interest prevail ? It’s a tricky one …
The pair host the two title deciding matches – Bashley against Premier Division leaders St Cross Symondians at the BCG and Hook, who receive the second placed Hampshire Academy at the KGV.
St Cross take a four-point lead deep into the New Forest, while Hook’s game against the Academy is academic as far as they are concerned, HNB’s relegation to SPL1 having been confirmed last weekend.
Despite winning their last four matches, Bashley can finish no higher than fourth, but their attention – like that of Hook & Newnham Basics – may be focused on the plight of their second team, who go into the 18th and final round of matches deep in relegation trouble at the foot of Division 2.
Both clubs may well to tempted to bolster their seconds with first team players, though no more than two are allowed to play. Bashley tried it last weekend against Hambledon and copped a bloody nose in the shape of a 99-run defeat.
The bottom of Division 2 makes fascinating reading, with Fawley (153 points) bottom, but in a position of being able to overhaul both Bashley (163) and Hook (167) if they beat enigmatic Hartley Wintney and their two relegation rivals lose.
Issues
Bashley seconds are at St Cross Symondians and Hook away at Andover, who need six points to clinch the runners-up spot behind Hambledon.
It would be a great shame if what has been an enthralling scrap for the Premier title – and don’t forget, South Wilts aren’t out of it – were to be decided with St Cross or the Academy facing weakened, watered down opposition on the final day of the season.
Bashley seconds, riddled with availability issues all summer long, have used 24 players in their 17 matches - 14 of which they have lost.
Hook have enjoyed tremendous success with their second team in the past two seasons, with consecutive promotions from the Hampshire League and last year SPL3. They have used 23 players this term. They have lost 12 times out of 17.
Is there much fun is losing almost every time you go out of play ? Isn’t it better to find your own level ?
Bashley and Hook are facing a difficult balancing act, do they send out weakened first teams with so much riding on the results or decide to take St Cross Symondians and/or the Hampshire Academy head on ? Or will self interest prevail ? It’s a tricky one …