Tom Ley, Sparsholt batting hero Totton & Eling made an emphatic step towards lifting the Southern Premier Division 1 crown – without having to face a ball or bowl one in anger.
While their scheduled home match against Rowledge was one of the 11 cancelled SPL fixtures, promotion rivals Basingstoke & North Hants and New Milton both lost, and Calmore Sports were rain abandoned in mid-afternoon against Portsmouth.
Teenage opening bowler Tom Ley underlined his growing batting credentials by being Sparsholt’s saviour – and eventual match winner – in the dramatic one-wicket victory at Fernhill which scuppered New Milton’s outside chances of a promotion place.
Sparsholt had high hopes of beating the third placed Green & Golds after Jeremy Frith (3-6) and Ollie Williams (3-15) took three wickets each in bowling New Milton out for 80 (Hall 21).
But when Ley, who has taken 12 wickets in his maiden SPL season at Locks Lane, arrived at the crease, Sparsholt were rocking at 59-7, having lost four wickets for 11 runs, George Watts (3-12) having sliced open the top order and spinner Joe Hall (4-12) taking the next four.
Ironically, Sparsholt flew out of the traps and had matters under control at 26-0, but three wickets fell for three runs while Dave Banks (27) held his ground.
But Ley, who made an unbeaten 48 in a losing cause against Portsmouth earlier this season, kept his cool and despite losing two more partners at 74 and 75, guided Sparsholt home with a match winning 19 not out.
While their scheduled home match against Rowledge was one of the 11 cancelled SPL fixtures, promotion rivals Basingstoke & North Hants and New Milton both lost, and Calmore Sports were rain abandoned in mid-afternoon against Portsmouth.
Teenage opening bowler Tom Ley underlined his growing batting credentials by being Sparsholt’s saviour – and eventual match winner – in the dramatic one-wicket victory at Fernhill which scuppered New Milton’s outside chances of a promotion place.
Sparsholt had high hopes of beating the third placed Green & Golds after Jeremy Frith (3-6) and Ollie Williams (3-15) took three wickets each in bowling New Milton out for 80 (Hall 21).
But when Ley, who has taken 12 wickets in his maiden SPL season at Locks Lane, arrived at the crease, Sparsholt were rocking at 59-7, having lost four wickets for 11 runs, George Watts (3-12) having sliced open the top order and spinner Joe Hall (4-12) taking the next four.
Ironically, Sparsholt flew out of the traps and had matters under control at 26-0, but three wickets fell for three runs while Dave Banks (27) held his ground.
But Ley, who made an unbeaten 48 in a losing cause against Portsmouth earlier this season, kept his cool and despite losing two more partners at 74 and 75, guided Sparsholt home with a match winning 19 not out.
 Campbell Golding bowled Tom Ley |  Ollie Williams bowls Toby Edwards |
Hands up if you think Jeremy Frith has got an lbw !
 Farewell Ryan Beck caught at slip |  Champagne moment ! Freddie Banks dives to take a catch and the prize wicket of Harlan Greig. |
Job done ! Tom Ley is all smiles after guiding Sparsholt to a nail biting one-wicket win at New Milton. Next job is leading Sparsholt in the Hampshire Under-17 Cup final against Hambledon at May's Bounty on Friday week. Superb action pictures by Bob Selley.
