James Hibberd (Roy Honeybone)
James Hibberd, captain of table topping South Wilts, has a warning for the other three clubs aspiring for the coveted ECB British Gas Southern Premier Division title : watch Havant.
“They may be third and have won only five of their 11 games – three defeats and three draws – but never write them off,” he says.
South Wilts, who have probably surprised themselves by leading the pack going into this weekend’s final batch of all-day Time pennant games, enjoy what amounts to a 29-point advantage over their old adversaries.
But Hibberd points out that the win/lose format of the upcoming second leg of the ‘white ball’ matches could easily turn things upside down.
“We’ve got a demanding run in, with Bashley (Rydal) first up when we return to 50-over cricket and then a trip to Havant on the penultimate day of the season,” he points out.
“But I maintain there’s no pressure on us. Me apart, we’re a developing home grown team, simply enjoying our cricket.
“It’s nice to be top going into the final third, but no one’s mentioned winning titles.”
As the Premier Division prepares to enter the final straight – there are six matches left, one Time pennant and five ‘white ball’ games – with Lymington, Havant and Bashley (Rydal) in the frame.
Lymington could win their first ‘trophy’ in over 30 years if they achieve a positive result from Saturday’s Sports Ground derby with New Milton.
“When we went to the top last month, it was the first time since we physically won the old Southern League way back in 1985,” revealed long serving chairman and past player Peter Tapper.
“It’s a staggering admission, but our trophy cabinet has remained empty ever since.”
That could change with a win or a ‘winning draw’ against New Milton – and bring Lymington their long awaited ‘trophy’ – the Time pennant.
“We have five wins from seven and lead South Wilts by ten points going into the final Time game,” Tapper confirmed.
Whether Lymington can make the final push in the ‘white ball’ arena and challenge for the title itself remains to be seen.
On the face of it, they have a less demanding run-in than their rivals, though the final match of the season against Havant could be interesting !
Lymington aren’t due to get hard hitting Zimbabwean Malcolm Lake (350 runs in five knocks) back until the last two games, but their top order still looks strong and Matt Metcalfe is still taking wickets for fun.
It’s been a somewhat anti-climatic summer for Havant after last season’s heady Premier League and T20 Cup double.
Three defeats and three drawn games in their seven Time outings has hindered progress, but, as James Hibberd warns, they remain a huge threat.
Hampshire’s Brad Taylor is likely to be available for the remainder of the season and, with a favourable ‘spin deck’ to bowl on, Havant’s slow men will continue to thrive.
Ben Walker once again leads the Premier run-scoring charts but, with Hampshire’s Jimmy Adams and Joe Weatherley potentially in the St Cross Symondians line-up, this Saturday could be a key date in Havant’s calendar.
Two disastrous batting performances in recent weeks have dented Bashley’s title aspirations and they could soon lose South Australian top scorer Patrick Page, who is due back in Adelaide in early August.
The potential ‘loss’ of left-arm quicks Tom Barber and Brad Currie to Middlesex and Surrey has also stifled Bashley’s push.
Captain Michael Porter has some serious issues to address in the Bashley batting department : Aussie Page apart they don’t have a player in the top 20 run scoring charts.
Last season’s surprise package runners-up Burridge had a massive hole to fill when South African Geoff Dods linked up with Hucknall in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.
But his replacement, Southampton Solent University left-hand all-rounder Brighton Mugochi has been a “revelation”, according to vive-captain Dan Hewitt.
Zimbabwe-born Mugochi was playing (pretty successfully) in the depths of Sussex League Division 4 cricket with relegated Henfield last season.
But 229 runs (often key ones) and 21 wickets underline what a success he’s been at Botley Road.
“Slow left-armers are never easy to play in club cricket. He has a good variation in flight with a proper quicker ball. Batsmen are given little respite and he’s a proper cricketer,” Hewitt said.
Dods hasn’t done badly in Nottinghamshire either, with 767 runs and 29 wickets in Saturday and Sunday league cricket.
The emergence of former Bradfield College all-rounder Harry Came has been one of the bright spots of an improved summer which should see St Cross Symondians finish in the top half.
Came played in Hampshire’s ECB Under-17 County Championship winning side two seasons ago and, while celebrating a maiden Premier Division century, has made 394 runs and taken 10 wickets for the Winchester club.
New Milton and Andover, meanwhile, look set to scrap out the last relegation place, with the odds heavily on last season’s Division One winners going straight back down.
They have a 27-point leeway to make up with six games left, the last of which is against the Green & Golds.
Consistent availability has been a problem for the Lions, with 20 different players already having gone through an ever revolving dressing room door.
“They may be third and have won only five of their 11 games – three defeats and three draws – but never write them off,” he says.
South Wilts, who have probably surprised themselves by leading the pack going into this weekend’s final batch of all-day Time pennant games, enjoy what amounts to a 29-point advantage over their old adversaries.
But Hibberd points out that the win/lose format of the upcoming second leg of the ‘white ball’ matches could easily turn things upside down.
“We’ve got a demanding run in, with Bashley (Rydal) first up when we return to 50-over cricket and then a trip to Havant on the penultimate day of the season,” he points out.
“But I maintain there’s no pressure on us. Me apart, we’re a developing home grown team, simply enjoying our cricket.
“It’s nice to be top going into the final third, but no one’s mentioned winning titles.”
As the Premier Division prepares to enter the final straight – there are six matches left, one Time pennant and five ‘white ball’ games – with Lymington, Havant and Bashley (Rydal) in the frame.
Lymington could win their first ‘trophy’ in over 30 years if they achieve a positive result from Saturday’s Sports Ground derby with New Milton.
“When we went to the top last month, it was the first time since we physically won the old Southern League way back in 1985,” revealed long serving chairman and past player Peter Tapper.
“It’s a staggering admission, but our trophy cabinet has remained empty ever since.”
That could change with a win or a ‘winning draw’ against New Milton – and bring Lymington their long awaited ‘trophy’ – the Time pennant.
“We have five wins from seven and lead South Wilts by ten points going into the final Time game,” Tapper confirmed.
Whether Lymington can make the final push in the ‘white ball’ arena and challenge for the title itself remains to be seen.
On the face of it, they have a less demanding run-in than their rivals, though the final match of the season against Havant could be interesting !
Lymington aren’t due to get hard hitting Zimbabwean Malcolm Lake (350 runs in five knocks) back until the last two games, but their top order still looks strong and Matt Metcalfe is still taking wickets for fun.
It’s been a somewhat anti-climatic summer for Havant after last season’s heady Premier League and T20 Cup double.
Three defeats and three drawn games in their seven Time outings has hindered progress, but, as James Hibberd warns, they remain a huge threat.
Hampshire’s Brad Taylor is likely to be available for the remainder of the season and, with a favourable ‘spin deck’ to bowl on, Havant’s slow men will continue to thrive.
Ben Walker once again leads the Premier run-scoring charts but, with Hampshire’s Jimmy Adams and Joe Weatherley potentially in the St Cross Symondians line-up, this Saturday could be a key date in Havant’s calendar.
Two disastrous batting performances in recent weeks have dented Bashley’s title aspirations and they could soon lose South Australian top scorer Patrick Page, who is due back in Adelaide in early August.
The potential ‘loss’ of left-arm quicks Tom Barber and Brad Currie to Middlesex and Surrey has also stifled Bashley’s push.
Captain Michael Porter has some serious issues to address in the Bashley batting department : Aussie Page apart they don’t have a player in the top 20 run scoring charts.
Last season’s surprise package runners-up Burridge had a massive hole to fill when South African Geoff Dods linked up with Hucknall in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.
But his replacement, Southampton Solent University left-hand all-rounder Brighton Mugochi has been a “revelation”, according to vive-captain Dan Hewitt.
Zimbabwe-born Mugochi was playing (pretty successfully) in the depths of Sussex League Division 4 cricket with relegated Henfield last season.
But 229 runs (often key ones) and 21 wickets underline what a success he’s been at Botley Road.
“Slow left-armers are never easy to play in club cricket. He has a good variation in flight with a proper quicker ball. Batsmen are given little respite and he’s a proper cricketer,” Hewitt said.
Dods hasn’t done badly in Nottinghamshire either, with 767 runs and 29 wickets in Saturday and Sunday league cricket.
The emergence of former Bradfield College all-rounder Harry Came has been one of the bright spots of an improved summer which should see St Cross Symondians finish in the top half.
Came played in Hampshire’s ECB Under-17 County Championship winning side two seasons ago and, while celebrating a maiden Premier Division century, has made 394 runs and taken 10 wickets for the Winchester club.
New Milton and Andover, meanwhile, look set to scrap out the last relegation place, with the odds heavily on last season’s Division One winners going straight back down.
They have a 27-point leeway to make up with six games left, the last of which is against the Green & Golds.
Consistent availability has been a problem for the Lions, with 20 different players already having gone through an ever revolving dressing room door.
