Needing 64 more runs to win off the last nine overs with seven wickets in hand, Sparsholt appeared to be on course to knock 2019 semi-finalists Sarisbury Athletic out of the National Village Cup.
But some reckless batting, culminating in three late run outs, led to them being dismissed for 187, 12 runs short of Sarisbury Athletic’s 199-9.
Sparsholt were in the box seat while Michael Haworth (33) and free hitting Oli Perrin (39) were together at 92-1 and still in charge through Lewis Mitchard (22) and Dave Banks (27).
But breakthroughs by spinner Sam Hill (2-37) and significantly Tom Kitcher (4-47) hauled Sarisbury Athletic back into the game.
Two big sixes by Stuart Taylor (24) raised the Sparsholt reply to 171-5 before he became the first of a trio of suicidal run outs – the visitors losing their last five wickets for 16 runs and the game with it.
Earlier, a half-century by Jack Lovett (54) and Sam Floyd (26) took Sarisbury to 86-1, but the innings fell away to 144-6 and later 169-9 before Kitcher (21) and Phil Jewell added 30 crucial runs for the last wicket.
Next port of call for Sarisbury Athletic is a visit to Bramshaw’s New Forest ground, alongside the golf course, on Sunday August 2, 1pm.
Oakley found themselves on the receiving end of a 263-run blast at Bramshaw and were beaten by 121 runs by the New Forest club.
Andy Hart (66) and former Hartley Wintney all-rounder Danny Plume (35) set Bramshaw up for a big score, with Jon Booth (30) among those to chip in.
Gerry Fox (33) and Alex Brundle (24) responded, but with Plume taking 3-24, Oakley were dismissed for 142.
Promising
Skipper Ben Wish was able to take some positives from Rowledge’s five-wicket exit at Blackheath, where he gave three 15-year olds some valuable experience in an already youthful side.
Losing the toss and inserted on a damp track, Rowledge found life tricky, with the Blackheath bowlers consistent and disciplined in their approach.
The promising Ricky Yates (45), supplemented with cameos from Ollie Baker (26) and Will Ryman (25) got the visitors up to 154-8.
Rowledge were in the game until the partnership between Will Melhuish (78 not out) and former Surrey IIs batsman Alan Cope (33). Melhuish chanced his arm, playing positively, and took advantage of any sort of width. Cope, late of Malden Wanderers, played some classy shots, the pair making quick inroads into the target. A brace from Will Ryman (2-32) threatened the Blackheath order but ultimately Melhuish guided his side to victory, ending on 78 not out.
Shrewton are out of the National Village Cup – but they put up a terrific scrap before conceding a three-wicket defeat to visiting Goatacre in a low scoring Dorset/Wiltshire group affair.
The Shrews were shot out for 85, but with Neilon Joseph taking 5-41 and Mitch Springer 2-25, they reduced Goatacre to 57-7 before the WEPL side scrambled across the line.
Goatacre now host Redlynch & Hale, who reduced Aldbourne from 88-2 (Pirie 35) to 123 all out, George Hayes taking 5-25. Jon Castleton hit an unbeaten 61 to guide Redlynch to a seven-wicket win.
• Liphook play their West Sussex group tie at Balcombe (near Hayward’s Heath) this Sunday, with the winners home to Findon in round two.
But some reckless batting, culminating in three late run outs, led to them being dismissed for 187, 12 runs short of Sarisbury Athletic’s 199-9.
Sparsholt were in the box seat while Michael Haworth (33) and free hitting Oli Perrin (39) were together at 92-1 and still in charge through Lewis Mitchard (22) and Dave Banks (27).
But breakthroughs by spinner Sam Hill (2-37) and significantly Tom Kitcher (4-47) hauled Sarisbury Athletic back into the game.
Two big sixes by Stuart Taylor (24) raised the Sparsholt reply to 171-5 before he became the first of a trio of suicidal run outs – the visitors losing their last five wickets for 16 runs and the game with it.
Earlier, a half-century by Jack Lovett (54) and Sam Floyd (26) took Sarisbury to 86-1, but the innings fell away to 144-6 and later 169-9 before Kitcher (21) and Phil Jewell added 30 crucial runs for the last wicket.
Next port of call for Sarisbury Athletic is a visit to Bramshaw’s New Forest ground, alongside the golf course, on Sunday August 2, 1pm.
Oakley found themselves on the receiving end of a 263-run blast at Bramshaw and were beaten by 121 runs by the New Forest club.
Andy Hart (66) and former Hartley Wintney all-rounder Danny Plume (35) set Bramshaw up for a big score, with Jon Booth (30) among those to chip in.
Gerry Fox (33) and Alex Brundle (24) responded, but with Plume taking 3-24, Oakley were dismissed for 142.
Promising
Skipper Ben Wish was able to take some positives from Rowledge’s five-wicket exit at Blackheath, where he gave three 15-year olds some valuable experience in an already youthful side.
Losing the toss and inserted on a damp track, Rowledge found life tricky, with the Blackheath bowlers consistent and disciplined in their approach.
The promising Ricky Yates (45), supplemented with cameos from Ollie Baker (26) and Will Ryman (25) got the visitors up to 154-8.
Rowledge were in the game until the partnership between Will Melhuish (78 not out) and former Surrey IIs batsman Alan Cope (33). Melhuish chanced his arm, playing positively, and took advantage of any sort of width. Cope, late of Malden Wanderers, played some classy shots, the pair making quick inroads into the target. A brace from Will Ryman (2-32) threatened the Blackheath order but ultimately Melhuish guided his side to victory, ending on 78 not out.
Shrewton are out of the National Village Cup – but they put up a terrific scrap before conceding a three-wicket defeat to visiting Goatacre in a low scoring Dorset/Wiltshire group affair.
The Shrews were shot out for 85, but with Neilon Joseph taking 5-41 and Mitch Springer 2-25, they reduced Goatacre to 57-7 before the WEPL side scrambled across the line.
Goatacre now host Redlynch & Hale, who reduced Aldbourne from 88-2 (Pirie 35) to 123 all out, George Hayes taking 5-25. Jon Castleton hit an unbeaten 61 to guide Redlynch to a seven-wicket win.
• Liphook play their West Sussex group tie at Balcombe (near Hayward’s Heath) this Sunday, with the winners home to Findon in round two.