Charlie Whitfield's 113 was in vain - Dave Reynolds photo.
Waterlooville's Charlie Whitfield has experienced the bitter disappointment of a second consecutive relegation, 12 months after his former Havant club lost its ECB Southern Premier Division status.
The Southampton University physics student, a promising spin bowler alongside his batting credentials, hit 113 of Ville's 272 against Hook & Newnham Basics at the KGV. It was his second SPL hundred, one run more than the 112 he made at Fair Oak back in May.
It looked as though it might be enough when Hook, threatening at 150-3 after Charlie Neville's sixth fifty of the summer, stumbled to 220-8 but Rupert Armstrong wears the Hook badge with pride and, with Lewis Watts (19*) in support, hit two sixes and ten fours in an unbeaten 87 which got his side across the line with ten balls to spare.
The outcome is relegation for the Ville but a temporary reprieve for Hook who, with two games left - they visit Totton & Eling before hosting leaders Sarisbury Athletic - lead OTs & Romsey by a solitary point at the bottom. It couldn't be tighter.
The Southampton University physics student, a promising spin bowler alongside his batting credentials, hit 113 of Ville's 272 against Hook & Newnham Basics at the KGV. It was his second SPL hundred, one run more than the 112 he made at Fair Oak back in May.
It looked as though it might be enough when Hook, threatening at 150-3 after Charlie Neville's sixth fifty of the summer, stumbled to 220-8 but Rupert Armstrong wears the Hook badge with pride and, with Lewis Watts (19*) in support, hit two sixes and ten fours in an unbeaten 87 which got his side across the line with ten balls to spare.
The outcome is relegation for the Ville but a temporary reprieve for Hook who, with two games left - they visit Totton & Eling before hosting leaders Sarisbury Athletic - lead OTs & Romsey by a solitary point at the bottom. It couldn't be tighter.
Rupert Armstrong, Hook's match winner (Ian Thacker)
