St Cross Symondians pictured with the Southern Premier League trophy and pennant. Standing (from left): Ben Gould, Josh Merluck, Matt Howarth, Simon Beetham, Harry Came, Felix Organ. Front: Steve Hirst, George O'Connor, Harry Foyle, Ed Ellis, Jason Laney.
St Cross Symondians ‘second team’ won the Southern Premier League Cup – the 40-over competition introduced when the government gave the go-ahead for recreational cricket to resume after lockdown – by beating Bournemouth by ten runs in the final at the Green Jackets Ground.
Their success owed much to former Hampshire opener Jason Laney, whose half-century provided a solid platform for St Cross to post 188-7.
Their success owed much to former Hampshire opener Jason Laney, whose half-century provided a solid platform for St Cross to post 188-7.
Jason Laney, whose 51 and superb fielding were key for St Cross Symondians. James Robinson.
Laney’s steady 51, supported by Hampshire pair Harry Came (29) and Felix Organ (21), and subsequently Ed Ellis (20), pointed a nimbler and younger St Cross towards a competitive total, Jake Hurley returning 3-33, his victims including Organ and Ellis, plus the dangerous Harry Foyle.
 Nick Park pulls for six. |  Sam Collins guides the ball through gully. |
Nick Park (26) and Sam Collins (19) provided Bournemouth with a 56-run cushion, but when three wickets fell for five runs the visitors effectively had to start again.
Luke Matthews (42) and Simon Woodruff (34) added 73, but the fourth wicket pair were both out to fine catches in the deep at a stage when Bournemouth were arguably in a position to push on.
Woodruff was well caught by the running Simon Beetham at wide mid-off off the impressive 16-year old George O’Connor (2-30) and Matthews fell to a stunning catch in the deep by Laney who had earlier made a brilliant stop on the boundary to prevent a straight six - fine margins !
Luke Matthews (42) and Simon Woodruff (34) added 73, but the fourth wicket pair were both out to fine catches in the deep at a stage when Bournemouth were arguably in a position to push on.
Woodruff was well caught by the running Simon Beetham at wide mid-off off the impressive 16-year old George O’Connor (2-30) and Matthews fell to a stunning catch in the deep by Laney who had earlier made a brilliant stop on the boundary to prevent a straight six - fine margins !
 Luke Matthews. Elegant 42. |  Simon Woodruff hits out. |
Bournemouth possibly missed a trick by not elevating big hitting Robbie Pack up the order and with none of the middle-order able to ‘go big’ on a predictably low autumnal surface against the spin of county pair Organ (2-24) or Came (2-36) – they shared the church end of the ground- the required run rate became too great and the Dorset side fell short at 178-7.
O’Connor, who had key Bournemouth batsman Adam Davies caught behind, certainly caught the eye, bowling a tight and controlled line at pressure stages.
He joined St Cross from Odiham & Greywell this season and with the highly respected Andy Wagner his watchful tutor at Radley College, George could be a name to remember for the future.
O’Connor, who had key Bournemouth batsman Adam Davies caught behind, certainly caught the eye, bowling a tight and controlled line at pressure stages.
He joined St Cross from Odiham & Greywell this season and with the highly respected Andy Wagner his watchful tutor at Radley College, George could be a name to remember for the future.
Felix Organ turned out for League Cup winners St Cross Symondians II either side of playing in Hampshire's Vitality T20 blast matches against Surrey and Middlesex.
