Hambledon stormed to a sixth successive Southern Premier League Division 3 success with a comprehensive 104-run win over promoted Hythe & Dibden at Jones Lane.
The Watersiders, last year’s County Division 1 champions, were cut down to size by a match-winning performance from Australian Luke Barber.
The 20-year old contributed valuable runs in helping Hambledon reach a total 186 before being bowled out in the 44th over. His side had earlier suffered a middle-order collapse that had reduced them to 126-6 before he scored 38 vital runs.
Barber (5-14) was even more devastating with the ball, ripping the heart out of the hosts with a five-wicket haul with his left-arm seam. Hythe were dismissed for 82 in just 25 overs.
Hambledon captain Spencer Le Clerq lauded his side’s strength in depth.
“We continue to win games despite playing with half our regular first choice players missing,' said Le Clerq. “A number of players have stepped up and done well for us. In recent years this is something that maybe we have lacked.
“Confidence is sky high in the team and with players coming back there is great competition for places. The aim is to still be in a good position when we reach the half-way stage of the season.'
It was the turn of 17-year old Peter Symonds College student Oliver Willoughby [pictured] to step up to the plate when Hambledon elected to bat first. He showed great maturity going in at number three.
“Oliver went in when we were 35-1 and wickets started falling around him,' said Le Clerq. “He kept his head, batted time and waited to hit the bad balls to the short boundaries. Oliver looked very much at home in the team and scored his second half-century in three games.
“Luke (Barber) came in and added crucial late runs, which is something we have been doing this season. It has won us games this season.”
Ironically, Barber played in the same Norwood club side as Lymington’s Ryan Scott in Melbourne last winter, picking up 50 wickets in the Ringwood District League.
The Watersiders, last year’s County Division 1 champions, were cut down to size by a match-winning performance from Australian Luke Barber.
The 20-year old contributed valuable runs in helping Hambledon reach a total 186 before being bowled out in the 44th over. His side had earlier suffered a middle-order collapse that had reduced them to 126-6 before he scored 38 vital runs.
Barber (5-14) was even more devastating with the ball, ripping the heart out of the hosts with a five-wicket haul with his left-arm seam. Hythe were dismissed for 82 in just 25 overs.
Hambledon captain Spencer Le Clerq lauded his side’s strength in depth.
“We continue to win games despite playing with half our regular first choice players missing,' said Le Clerq. “A number of players have stepped up and done well for us. In recent years this is something that maybe we have lacked.
“Confidence is sky high in the team and with players coming back there is great competition for places. The aim is to still be in a good position when we reach the half-way stage of the season.'
It was the turn of 17-year old Peter Symonds College student Oliver Willoughby [pictured] to step up to the plate when Hambledon elected to bat first. He showed great maturity going in at number three.
“Oliver went in when we were 35-1 and wickets started falling around him,' said Le Clerq. “He kept his head, batted time and waited to hit the bad balls to the short boundaries. Oliver looked very much at home in the team and scored his second half-century in three games.
“Luke (Barber) came in and added crucial late runs, which is something we have been doing this season. It has won us games this season.”
Ironically, Barber played in the same Norwood club side as Lymington’s Ryan Scott in Melbourne last winter, picking up 50 wickets in the Ringwood District League.
