David Banks crashed 57 runs off 34 deliveries, including a last over six, to give British Gas Southern League Division 2 leadership contenders Sparsholt a thrilling four-wicket win over Old Tauntonians & Romsey.
He hoisted teenage spinner Joe Vaughan high into the trees at the Norman Edwards Ground to secure a dramatic victory for Sparsholt, who had been behind the rate in their quest to chase OTs’ 222-9.
They eventually got home off the fourth ball of the last over.
OTs would have been disappointed to have been restricted to 222, having been 136-1 at one stage with Hampshire’s Chris Wood (69) and Charlie King (52) going well.
A positive start changed direction when Jeremy Frith brought himself on to bowl – the Sparsholt captain dismissing Wood and Joe Welch in consecutive deliveries.
Frith proceeded to rip through the OTs middle-order with a 5-43 return, only Rob Newman (18) and Joe Vaughan (21 not out) making much of an impact as the wickets tumbled.
Sparsholt wobbled at 23-2, but Michael Howarth (53) and Jake Dunford (43) stepped up the pressure.
With Wood wheeling away (his ten overs cost 36 runs), the required rate advanced to eight an over and when Sam Kennett (38) departed at 187-6 it looked as though the game might be up.
But Banks, pictured above by Bob Selly, hobbling on one leg with a muscle injury, was already set on 27 not out and with a flurry of fours and sixes swung the match in Sparsholt’s favour – with just two balls remaining !
He struck five fours and three sixes, the last of which had Sparsholt celebrating a third successive win.
He hoisted teenage spinner Joe Vaughan high into the trees at the Norman Edwards Ground to secure a dramatic victory for Sparsholt, who had been behind the rate in their quest to chase OTs’ 222-9.
They eventually got home off the fourth ball of the last over.
OTs would have been disappointed to have been restricted to 222, having been 136-1 at one stage with Hampshire’s Chris Wood (69) and Charlie King (52) going well.
A positive start changed direction when Jeremy Frith brought himself on to bowl – the Sparsholt captain dismissing Wood and Joe Welch in consecutive deliveries.
Frith proceeded to rip through the OTs middle-order with a 5-43 return, only Rob Newman (18) and Joe Vaughan (21 not out) making much of an impact as the wickets tumbled.
Sparsholt wobbled at 23-2, but Michael Howarth (53) and Jake Dunford (43) stepped up the pressure.
With Wood wheeling away (his ten overs cost 36 runs), the required rate advanced to eight an over and when Sam Kennett (38) departed at 187-6 it looked as though the game might be up.
But Banks, pictured above by Bob Selly, hobbling on one leg with a muscle injury, was already set on 27 not out and with a flurry of fours and sixes swung the match in Sparsholt’s favour – with just two balls remaining !
He struck five fours and three sixes, the last of which had Sparsholt celebrating a third successive win.
