Sparsholt, resplendent in their coloured pyjama kit
Back (from left): Chris Mitchell, Sam O’Brien, Drew Weir, Alex Dilley, Greg Whiting, Liam Doran. Front: Tom Foster, Sam Kennett, Jeremy Frith, David Banks, Nick Doubell.
While the majority of local clubs have been marooned by the wet weather and waterlogged grounds, Sparsholt warmed up for the new Southern Premier League Division 2 campaign with positive preparation in a four-team invitation T20 tournament in the Channel Islands.T20 tournament.
They beat Elizabeth College and Sarisbury Athletic before tie-ing a third match with Canacord Griffins, writes Mike Vimpany.
Sparsholt skipper Jeremy Frith explained: “The objective for us was to get people away together, play some cricket and get on good grass facilities as soon as we can.
“This was our second trip and proved a great opportunity for us to come together as a team, focus on our cricket and embed some new players in to the club.
“Last year we had 15 people come out, this time we were a party of 28 including supporters.”
Chris Mitchell, Sam Kennett, Jamie Skeoch, Australian arrival Sam O’Brien and Frith himself all made useful contributions with the bat, while teenage spin all-rounder Liam Doran, recently arrived from Hook & Newnham Basics, returned 4-8 in the tie with Griffins.
O’Brien, a 23-year old Australian, will be Sparsholt’s overseas player this term, having arrived at the club on a two-year round European trip.
He originates from Melbourne, but has recently been living in Brisbane.
Frith is optimistic that Sparsholt will be amongst the front runners in Premier 2 this summer, having finished a slightly disappointing mid-table fifth.
He says: “Pretty obviously we want to win the league and if we didn’t we’d have to ask serious questions of ourselves.
“It’s always difficult to predict what will no doubt be a close league - but we aim to be up there at the end of the year.
“Most pleasingly it looks like we will have excellent availability throughout the year for all competitions, so if we can get some results going our way then I think we have every right to be really optimistic about our chances of playing some great cricket this year.”
Back (from left): Chris Mitchell, Sam O’Brien, Drew Weir, Alex Dilley, Greg Whiting, Liam Doran. Front: Tom Foster, Sam Kennett, Jeremy Frith, David Banks, Nick Doubell.
While the majority of local clubs have been marooned by the wet weather and waterlogged grounds, Sparsholt warmed up for the new Southern Premier League Division 2 campaign with positive preparation in a four-team invitation T20 tournament in the Channel Islands.T20 tournament.
They beat Elizabeth College and Sarisbury Athletic before tie-ing a third match with Canacord Griffins, writes Mike Vimpany.
Sparsholt skipper Jeremy Frith explained: “The objective for us was to get people away together, play some cricket and get on good grass facilities as soon as we can.
“This was our second trip and proved a great opportunity for us to come together as a team, focus on our cricket and embed some new players in to the club.
“Last year we had 15 people come out, this time we were a party of 28 including supporters.”
Chris Mitchell, Sam Kennett, Jamie Skeoch, Australian arrival Sam O’Brien and Frith himself all made useful contributions with the bat, while teenage spin all-rounder Liam Doran, recently arrived from Hook & Newnham Basics, returned 4-8 in the tie with Griffins.
O’Brien, a 23-year old Australian, will be Sparsholt’s overseas player this term, having arrived at the club on a two-year round European trip.
He originates from Melbourne, but has recently been living in Brisbane.
Frith is optimistic that Sparsholt will be amongst the front runners in Premier 2 this summer, having finished a slightly disappointing mid-table fifth.
He says: “Pretty obviously we want to win the league and if we didn’t we’d have to ask serious questions of ourselves.
“It’s always difficult to predict what will no doubt be a close league - but we aim to be up there at the end of the year.
“Most pleasingly it looks like we will have excellent availability throughout the year for all competitions, so if we can get some results going our way then I think we have every right to be really optimistic about our chances of playing some great cricket this year.”
- Sparsholt's Premier League Division 2 programme opener against Trojans on Saturday has been switched to the Norman Edwards Ground (12.30). They entertain Liphook & Ripsley in a national Village Cup tie at Locks Lane on Sunday.
