George Marshall recorded back-to-back centuries as Hambledon celebrated a second successive Southern Premier League title.
The Dons only needed three points from their penultimate game of the Division 2 campaign at relegation threatened Bashley (Rydal) seconds to ensure they couldn’t be caught.
Thanks to Marshall’s second ton in eight days, they picked up 22 points from a 15th win in 16 completed games.
Hambledon’s latest title win is even more impressive bearing in mind they started the season on minus-20 points due to an administrative error.
A week after hitting an unbeaten 112 against Hartley Wintney, opener Marshall struck 102 as the Dons posted 264-6. He shared an opening stand of 113 with Dan McGovern (50) and a second wicket stand of 121 with Matt De Villiers (68)..
They were eventually bowled out for 165 to lose by 99 runs - Hambledon’s 25th win in their last 27 league fixtures stretching back to start of last season.
Bashley, who currently occupy the second relegation spot, bolstered their ranks by including first teamers Jacob Gordon and Michael Porter, but the ploy backfired as they were dismissed for seven and eight, respectively, although Porter did take 3-11 with his leg-spin, which he should be encouraged to bowl more of.
George Harding (4-34) and Henry Glanfield (3-44) reduced Bashley to 69-5 – talented teenage left-hander Finn Gordon making 40 – before Austin Andrews, Mitch and Steve Wilson lifted their final score to 165.
The Dons only needed three points from their penultimate game of the Division 2 campaign at relegation threatened Bashley (Rydal) seconds to ensure they couldn’t be caught.
Thanks to Marshall’s second ton in eight days, they picked up 22 points from a 15th win in 16 completed games.
Hambledon’s latest title win is even more impressive bearing in mind they started the season on minus-20 points due to an administrative error.
A week after hitting an unbeaten 112 against Hartley Wintney, opener Marshall struck 102 as the Dons posted 264-6. He shared an opening stand of 113 with Dan McGovern (50) and a second wicket stand of 121 with Matt De Villiers (68)..
They were eventually bowled out for 165 to lose by 99 runs - Hambledon’s 25th win in their last 27 league fixtures stretching back to start of last season.
Bashley, who currently occupy the second relegation spot, bolstered their ranks by including first teamers Jacob Gordon and Michael Porter, but the ploy backfired as they were dismissed for seven and eight, respectively, although Porter did take 3-11 with his leg-spin, which he should be encouraged to bowl more of.
George Harding (4-34) and Henry Glanfield (3-44) reduced Bashley to 69-5 – talented teenage left-hander Finn Gordon making 40 – before Austin Andrews, Mitch and Steve Wilson lifted their final score to 165.