Mike Swain hit a century as Hampshire Seniors maintained their grip on their Seevent National Over-60s Championship group with a narrow three-run victory over Middlesex at Winchmore Hill.
The former Gosport Borough left-hander (left) struck two sixes and eight fours in his 107 and shared century partnerships with Waterlooville pair Geoff Beale (67 and Jon Floyd (67).
Hampshire’s 249-2 looked more than sufficient when a three-wicket spell by Paul Kerley (3-23) dropped Middlesex to 171-7, but eighth-wicket Wembley pair John Haskell (43) and, specifically, Roy Marett, who blazed three sixes and five fours in a quick-fire 54 off 28 deliveries, took their reply to 246-8 and had Hampshire hanging on at the end.
Hampshire will clinch the group title and be assured of a home tie in the national phase of the competition if they beat Hertfordshire at Hursley Park on Tuesday, 1pm.
The former Gosport Borough left-hander (left) struck two sixes and eight fours in his 107 and shared century partnerships with Waterlooville pair Geoff Beale (67 and Jon Floyd (67).
Hampshire’s 249-2 looked more than sufficient when a three-wicket spell by Paul Kerley (3-23) dropped Middlesex to 171-7, but eighth-wicket Wembley pair John Haskell (43) and, specifically, Roy Marett, who blazed three sixes and five fours in a quick-fire 54 off 28 deliveries, took their reply to 246-8 and had Hampshire hanging on at the end.
Hampshire will clinch the group title and be assured of a home tie in the national phase of the competition if they beat Hertfordshire at Hursley Park on Tuesday, 1pm.
