Sparsholt went on a Spring Bank Holiday run rampage, chasing down 251 to beat arch-rivals St Cross Symondians II and then clinching a place in Sunday’s Voneus Village Cup county final with a 281-run blitz against Bramshaw.
At 146-5, Sparsholt probably wondered if they had the capacity to overall a demanding St Cross total of 251-5, but any target is achievable while David Banks is at the crease and his boundary strewn 64 turned the match.
The Sparsholt skipper cleared the boundary rope six times, scoring his 64 off 41 balls in a rapid 90-run sixth-wicket stand with Callum Doran (41 not out) which carried the visitors to within touching distance of a two-wicket victory, achieved with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier Josh May (34), Liam Doran (33) and Lewis Mitchard (30) made important runs at the top of the order.
The St Cross score was built around significant partnerships involving former Hampshire opener Jason Laney, who made 86 and dominated a 105-run start with Steve Hirst (25) and then Harry Trussler (75).
Former Middlesex cricketer Chris Whelan hit four sixes off the ten balls he received in making 31 not out.
Although Banks made another half-century, teenager wicketkeeper Josh May took centre stage in Sparsholt’s 162-run victory over Bramshaw that takes the team to Calmore Sports for the Village Cup zone final on Sunday, 1300.
Sparsholt had lost both openers and had only four runs on the board when the little former Basingstoke & North Hants gloveman arrived at the crease.
His thoroughly responsible innings of 89 effectively ensured Bramshaw wouldn’t repeat their shock win over Sway in the previous round. Instead, they chased a towering total in the heat.
Lewis Mitchard (35), Liam Doran (29), Ashley Collison (30) batted around May before Banks crashed 56 to put the game out of sight at 281-8 (Mike Kingston 3-47).
Bramshaw were rushed out for 119, Tom Arnold 39 top scoring before becoming one of three victims for Dan Sumner (3-22).
At 146-5, Sparsholt probably wondered if they had the capacity to overall a demanding St Cross total of 251-5, but any target is achievable while David Banks is at the crease and his boundary strewn 64 turned the match.
The Sparsholt skipper cleared the boundary rope six times, scoring his 64 off 41 balls in a rapid 90-run sixth-wicket stand with Callum Doran (41 not out) which carried the visitors to within touching distance of a two-wicket victory, achieved with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier Josh May (34), Liam Doran (33) and Lewis Mitchard (30) made important runs at the top of the order.
The St Cross score was built around significant partnerships involving former Hampshire opener Jason Laney, who made 86 and dominated a 105-run start with Steve Hirst (25) and then Harry Trussler (75).
Former Middlesex cricketer Chris Whelan hit four sixes off the ten balls he received in making 31 not out.
Although Banks made another half-century, teenager wicketkeeper Josh May took centre stage in Sparsholt’s 162-run victory over Bramshaw that takes the team to Calmore Sports for the Village Cup zone final on Sunday, 1300.
Sparsholt had lost both openers and had only four runs on the board when the little former Basingstoke & North Hants gloveman arrived at the crease.
His thoroughly responsible innings of 89 effectively ensured Bramshaw wouldn’t repeat their shock win over Sway in the previous round. Instead, they chased a towering total in the heat.
Lewis Mitchard (35), Liam Doran (29), Ashley Collison (30) batted around May before Banks crashed 56 to put the game out of sight at 281-8 (Mike Kingston 3-47).
Bramshaw were rushed out for 119, Tom Arnold 39 top scoring before becoming one of three victims for Dan Sumner (3-22).