 Jack Middleton pulls |  Robbie Hadfield in sweep mode. |  Superman ? No, but Matt Haworth's flying catch ! |
St Cross Symondians seconds require only 11 points from their remaining two matches against South Wilts II and Fair Oak to clinch promotion from Southern Premier League Division 2.
But they were taken to the wire in a late season thriller at Ripsley Park, where they eventually beat Liphook & Ripsley by nine runs in a match reduced to 41 overs per side due to tea-time rain.
St Cross were reduced to 22-4 by Charles Janczur (4-35) and Suman Ganguly (a miserly 2-11 off ten overs), with only Jack Middleton of the top order still at the crease.
The left-hander, pictured in action, was initially accompanied in the rescue act by Blair Brown (31), then with wicket-keeper Robbie Hadfield added 82 before Middleton was caught (by Ganguly) went for an invaluable 65.
Hadfield then stepped on the gas with his trademark sweeps, and with good support from the tail Symondians added 52 off the last five overs to reach 203 for 9 in 50 overs, Hadfield notching 51. Rain reduced the Liphook target to 185 from 41 overs, and they made a good start, getting to 65 without loss through Chris Martin (40) and Rob Nicklin (30).
From this point the St Cross bowlers made inroads, chipping away with regular wickets whilst keeping the run rate in check. Dave Orchard bowled in typically miserly fashion, going for just 25 off his 10 overs, and picking up his 40th wicket of a fruitful season.
Ganguly was Liphook’s main man, and whilst he remained at the crease they looked favourites, but the run rate pressure told when he attempted a sharp single and was run out by a smart bit of work by Hadfield for 63 at 159-7 in the 36th over.
Liphook kept going, and in the penultimate over needing 14 to win Charles Janczur smashed the ball seemingly over the mid-wicket boundary, only for Matt Haworth to produce a flying leap and fantastic one-handed catch.
Six balls later Alex Woolvine (4-21) sealed a precious victory with his fourth wicket in a great spell of leg spin and St Cross were home by 8 runs, Liphook being dismissed for 176.
* Totton & Eling's scheduled derby match with Paultons was called off after heavy overnight left Southern Gardens unfit.
* Video footage from the Liphook & Ripsley v St Cross Symondians match is available courtesy of sandersteadcctv@gmail.com - https://youtu.be/LlzGm5AOaZM
But they were taken to the wire in a late season thriller at Ripsley Park, where they eventually beat Liphook & Ripsley by nine runs in a match reduced to 41 overs per side due to tea-time rain.
St Cross were reduced to 22-4 by Charles Janczur (4-35) and Suman Ganguly (a miserly 2-11 off ten overs), with only Jack Middleton of the top order still at the crease.
The left-hander, pictured in action, was initially accompanied in the rescue act by Blair Brown (31), then with wicket-keeper Robbie Hadfield added 82 before Middleton was caught (by Ganguly) went for an invaluable 65.
Hadfield then stepped on the gas with his trademark sweeps, and with good support from the tail Symondians added 52 off the last five overs to reach 203 for 9 in 50 overs, Hadfield notching 51. Rain reduced the Liphook target to 185 from 41 overs, and they made a good start, getting to 65 without loss through Chris Martin (40) and Rob Nicklin (30).
From this point the St Cross bowlers made inroads, chipping away with regular wickets whilst keeping the run rate in check. Dave Orchard bowled in typically miserly fashion, going for just 25 off his 10 overs, and picking up his 40th wicket of a fruitful season.
Ganguly was Liphook’s main man, and whilst he remained at the crease they looked favourites, but the run rate pressure told when he attempted a sharp single and was run out by a smart bit of work by Hadfield for 63 at 159-7 in the 36th over.
Liphook kept going, and in the penultimate over needing 14 to win Charles Janczur smashed the ball seemingly over the mid-wicket boundary, only for Matt Haworth to produce a flying leap and fantastic one-handed catch.
Six balls later Alex Woolvine (4-21) sealed a precious victory with his fourth wicket in a great spell of leg spin and St Cross were home by 8 runs, Liphook being dismissed for 176.
* Totton & Eling's scheduled derby match with Paultons was called off after heavy overnight left Southern Gardens unfit.
* Video footage from the Liphook & Ripsley v St Cross Symondians match is available courtesy of sandersteadcctv@gmail.com - https://youtu.be/LlzGm5AOaZM
