 Joe Kooner-Evans wrecked Sparsholt's top order with the ball then .... |  ... hit a maiden SPL 61 to win the match. Bob Selley pictures. . |
Joe Kooner-Evans returned from his fresher year at Swansea University and produced a memorable all-round display as Portsmouth defeated Southern Premier Division 1 rivals Sparsholt by six wickets at Locks Lane.
First, he took three of the first four Sparsholt wickets to fall - all clean bowled - as the hosts tumbled to 45-4. Then, as Portsmouth looked like stumbling in their bid to chase 174 for victory, he compiled his maiden SPL half-century.
Kooner-Evans, who has been playing for Neath in the ECB South Wales Premier League at the historic Knoll ground, arrived at the crease with his side 68-3 having lost three wickets - openers Ben Duggan (39) and Jack Marston (15) and skipper James Christian (0) - for just four runs. It was 85-4 when Will Smitherman (3) became the third victim for off-spinner Liam Doran (3-34).
But Kooner-Evans found great support in Hemanshu Hirani (39), who helped him add 78 for the fifth wicket and swing the pendulum firmly back in Portsmouth’s favour. Hirani hit four fours and a six in his 47-ball innings, while Kooner-Evans struck nine fours in his unbeaten 61 made off 54 deliveries. There were still 20 balls remaining when Kooner-Evans struck the match-winning boundary.
Earlier, Peter Symonds College student Tom Ley [pictured left] spared Sparsholt’s blushes. The Winchester side faced a below-par score at 128-8, went into tea with 170 on the Locks Lane electronic scoreboard.
Ley hit five fours and a six in his 39-ball knock, Ash Collison (23), Scott Taylor (23) and Dave Banks (21) all having made starts. Ley added an unbroken 44 with Greg Whiting.
First, he took three of the first four Sparsholt wickets to fall - all clean bowled - as the hosts tumbled to 45-4. Then, as Portsmouth looked like stumbling in their bid to chase 174 for victory, he compiled his maiden SPL half-century.
Kooner-Evans, who has been playing for Neath in the ECB South Wales Premier League at the historic Knoll ground, arrived at the crease with his side 68-3 having lost three wickets - openers Ben Duggan (39) and Jack Marston (15) and skipper James Christian (0) - for just four runs. It was 85-4 when Will Smitherman (3) became the third victim for off-spinner Liam Doran (3-34).
But Kooner-Evans found great support in Hemanshu Hirani (39), who helped him add 78 for the fifth wicket and swing the pendulum firmly back in Portsmouth’s favour. Hirani hit four fours and a six in his 47-ball innings, while Kooner-Evans struck nine fours in his unbeaten 61 made off 54 deliveries. There were still 20 balls remaining when Kooner-Evans struck the match-winning boundary.
Earlier, Peter Symonds College student Tom Ley [pictured left] spared Sparsholt’s blushes. The Winchester side faced a below-par score at 128-8, went into tea with 170 on the Locks Lane electronic scoreboard.
Ley hit five fours and a six in his 39-ball knock, Ash Collison (23), Scott Taylor (23) and Dave Banks (21) all having made starts. Ley added an unbroken 44 with Greg Whiting.
Portsmouth paceman Jono Brook (2-34) goes up for a massive leg before shout .. which the umpires turn down !
Six or out ? Portsmouth's Dan Wallis takes a spectacular boundary catch to dismiss Sparsholt's Stuart Taylor - but are his feet touching the boundary rope ?
