Justin Behrens extended his run of half-centuries as Hambledon chalked up a first-ever Southern Premier League win over Havant.
The South African hit an unbeaten 91 as the Dons romped to an eight-wicket win that keeps them top of the second tier with just two matches remaining.
Asked to chase 213 at Ridge Meadow, Behrens and opener Will Parvin (77) shared a second wicket stand of 103.
That was after Chris Pratt (33) had helped Parvin – a dentistry student at Cardiff Uni playing only his fourth 1st XI league game of 2026 – lay 77-run first wicket foundations.
It was Behrens’ fifth successive half-century, following scores of 67 (v Fair Oak), 92 (v Totton & Eling), 53 (v Basingstoke) and 59 (v Langley Manor).
Pratt (3-35) had earlier reduced Havant to 20-2 after Chris Morgan had opted to bat, removing Stuart Ransley and Robert Woolley.
Ollie Bembridge (3-31) saw off Chris Stone (15) and Harrison Barnard (6) as Havant sagged to 69-4, before opener Richard Hindley (62) and Cam Prentice (42) added 75 for the fifth wicket.
Morgan’s unbeaten 35 took Havant – not yet clear of relegation danger – past the 200 mark.
Hambledon’s 20-point victory moves them three clear of Fair Oak, with only the title winners promoted to the top flight.
Hampshire’s Fletcha Middleton might have struggled for runs in the first-class game this year, but he remains far too good for Division 1 of the SPL.
Witness his unbeaten 126 off 102 balls which saw Fair Oak cruise past Calmore’s 252-4 total with almost 15 overs in hand at Lapstone Park.
It was the highest of Middleton’s four centuries, three of which have been unbeaten, in eight SPL appearances this season. Sam Reed (52) helped him put on 126 for the first wicket.
Middleton’s innings wasn’t the highest of the match, though – that belonged to Ben Johns for his SPL career best 130 off 126 balls after Calmore had opted to bat first.
The South African hit an unbeaten 91 as the Dons romped to an eight-wicket win that keeps them top of the second tier with just two matches remaining.
Asked to chase 213 at Ridge Meadow, Behrens and opener Will Parvin (77) shared a second wicket stand of 103.
That was after Chris Pratt (33) had helped Parvin – a dentistry student at Cardiff Uni playing only his fourth 1st XI league game of 2026 – lay 77-run first wicket foundations.
It was Behrens’ fifth successive half-century, following scores of 67 (v Fair Oak), 92 (v Totton & Eling), 53 (v Basingstoke) and 59 (v Langley Manor).
Pratt (3-35) had earlier reduced Havant to 20-2 after Chris Morgan had opted to bat, removing Stuart Ransley and Robert Woolley.
Ollie Bembridge (3-31) saw off Chris Stone (15) and Harrison Barnard (6) as Havant sagged to 69-4, before opener Richard Hindley (62) and Cam Prentice (42) added 75 for the fifth wicket.
Morgan’s unbeaten 35 took Havant – not yet clear of relegation danger – past the 200 mark.
Hambledon’s 20-point victory moves them three clear of Fair Oak, with only the title winners promoted to the top flight.
Hampshire’s Fletcha Middleton might have struggled for runs in the first-class game this year, but he remains far too good for Division 1 of the SPL.
Witness his unbeaten 126 off 102 balls which saw Fair Oak cruise past Calmore’s 252-4 total with almost 15 overs in hand at Lapstone Park.
It was the highest of Middleton’s four centuries, three of which have been unbeaten, in eight SPL appearances this season. Sam Reed (52) helped him put on 126 for the first wicket.
Middleton’s innings wasn’t the highest of the match, though – that belonged to Ben Johns for his SPL career best 130 off 126 balls after Calmore had opted to bat first.
