Matt De Villiers has become the first batsman for 17 years to reach the milestone of 1,000 Southern Premier League runs in a season.
Playing below his ability level in tier three, the South African struck his FIFTH Division 2 century of the campaign - 102 - in a 72-run victory over Hook & Newnham Basics IIs at Ridge Meadow.
It was the Dons’ 12th win in 13 completed matches and keeps them on track for back-to-back promotions, with Saturday’s visit to second placed Andover potentially critical in the silverware stakes.
As for De Villiers, he now needs just 31 more runs to set a new Southern Premier League seasonal record.
The current record - 1,076 - was set in 2005 by Will Prozesky, who played for Havant and Purbrook.
De Villiers, from top Western Province club Claremont, is only the fourth man to reach four figures since Hampshire legend Robin Smith set a new Southern League run record of 1,015 for Trojans 40 years ago.
Smith’s record was beaten twice in 2003, when South African Erasmus Hendriske - also playing for Trojans - hit 1,025 Division 3 runs. But that same year, Kiwi Neal Parlane set a new record with 1,074 for Totton-based BAT in the top flight.
Parlane’s record stood for just two years, before Prozesky topped it by just two runs.
De Villiers is just the second player to score five SPL tons in a single season - Hendriske had achieved the feat in 2003.
De Villiers’ fifth century was made off 90 balls, hitting 17 boundaries, in a team total of 217. Back to form Henry Glanfield (54) helping him add 124 for the third wicket.
Youngsters Ben Reilly (3-14) and James Restall (3-36) starred as Hook plunged to 87-8 in reply.
Will Gardner (32) and emerging all-rounder Ollie May (28 not out) put on a defiant 58 for the ninth wicket, a stand which ended when Mark Butcher produced a run out. Hook are now second from bottom.
• Matt De Villers’ summer with Hambledon was organised by one-time Burridge cricketer Roger Moult of the All Rounder Cricket Academy in Cape Town, who also sent Nathan Schoultz across to play for Burridge. The ARCA can be approached re potential SPL players for 2023.
Playing below his ability level in tier three, the South African struck his FIFTH Division 2 century of the campaign - 102 - in a 72-run victory over Hook & Newnham Basics IIs at Ridge Meadow.
It was the Dons’ 12th win in 13 completed matches and keeps them on track for back-to-back promotions, with Saturday’s visit to second placed Andover potentially critical in the silverware stakes.
As for De Villiers, he now needs just 31 more runs to set a new Southern Premier League seasonal record.
The current record - 1,076 - was set in 2005 by Will Prozesky, who played for Havant and Purbrook.
De Villiers, from top Western Province club Claremont, is only the fourth man to reach four figures since Hampshire legend Robin Smith set a new Southern League run record of 1,015 for Trojans 40 years ago.
Smith’s record was beaten twice in 2003, when South African Erasmus Hendriske - also playing for Trojans - hit 1,025 Division 3 runs. But that same year, Kiwi Neal Parlane set a new record with 1,074 for Totton-based BAT in the top flight.
Parlane’s record stood for just two years, before Prozesky topped it by just two runs.
De Villiers is just the second player to score five SPL tons in a single season - Hendriske had achieved the feat in 2003.
De Villiers’ fifth century was made off 90 balls, hitting 17 boundaries, in a team total of 217. Back to form Henry Glanfield (54) helping him add 124 for the third wicket.
Youngsters Ben Reilly (3-14) and James Restall (3-36) starred as Hook plunged to 87-8 in reply.
Will Gardner (32) and emerging all-rounder Ollie May (28 not out) put on a defiant 58 for the ninth wicket, a stand which ended when Mark Butcher produced a run out. Hook are now second from bottom.
• Matt De Villers’ summer with Hambledon was organised by one-time Burridge cricketer Roger Moult of the All Rounder Cricket Academy in Cape Town, who also sent Nathan Schoultz across to play for Burridge. The ARCA can be approached re potential SPL players for 2023.