Fireworks came four months early on Southsea seafront as Ricky Rawlins smashed an amazing 94 runs off 85 balls to lead Sarisbury Athletic to a five-wicket win over Portsmouth at St Helen’s.
He hit the Portsmouth bowlers to all parts, thrashing six sixes and 14 fours as Sarisbury sped past a reduced target of 197 (42 overs) to deepen Portsmouth’s relegation concerns.
All but two of Rawlins’ runs came in boundary hits.
Portsmouth’s original 213-9 included a typically bashed 67 by Hampshire hopeful Fraser Hay, while Sam Hill and Jordan Wright took three wickets each for the visitors.
Hay (3-38) then reduced Sarisbury to 50-4 (Sam Floyd 30) before the Rawlins firework display began.
The Sarisbury captain designate then took control, dominating a match winning 142-run partnership with Joe Lovett (50 not out), of which he made 94.
The result lifts Sarisbury into a comfortable mid-table slot, but leaves Portsmouth only four points above the drop zone – with an uncomfortable visit to Rowledge this Saturday.
He hit the Portsmouth bowlers to all parts, thrashing six sixes and 14 fours as Sarisbury sped past a reduced target of 197 (42 overs) to deepen Portsmouth’s relegation concerns.
All but two of Rawlins’ runs came in boundary hits.
Portsmouth’s original 213-9 included a typically bashed 67 by Hampshire hopeful Fraser Hay, while Sam Hill and Jordan Wright took three wickets each for the visitors.
Hay (3-38) then reduced Sarisbury to 50-4 (Sam Floyd 30) before the Rawlins firework display began.
The Sarisbury captain designate then took control, dominating a match winning 142-run partnership with Joe Lovett (50 not out), of which he made 94.
The result lifts Sarisbury into a comfortable mid-table slot, but leaves Portsmouth only four points above the drop zone – with an uncomfortable visit to Rowledge this Saturday.
