Sparsholt match winner Michael Haworth 79* [Pictures Bob Selley]
A five-wicket win at Rowledge has enabled Sparsholt to take a firm grip of the Southern Premier League Division Two title race.
But Jeremy Frith’s side has another crunch match looming on the immediate horizon – a trip to second placed Waterlooville this Saturday.
A season’s best 79 not out by Michael Haworth pointed Sparsholt to their ninth successive win from a top-table duel that produced glowing praise from standing South Coast Panel umpire Tim May.
Speaking against the background of growing on-field behavioural problems in local recreational cricket, May described the Rowledge-Sparsholt match as “the most impeccably well behaved game of cricket I have umpired in a very long time.
“Both teams merrily chatted long after stumps with their opponents and the two umpires.
“It was a very pleasant throw back to the old days.”
Rowledge, though, will have been disappointed to have allowed a promising position at 105-1 to be wrestled away.
Chris Yates (81) and Sam Plater (59) did the hard work before Sparsholt spin duo Frith (4-36) and Nick Doubell (3-37) created significant inroads for the visitors.
The Rowledge total of 194-9 was probably 25 or so shot of what skipper Ben Wish wanted – and so it proved.
Haworth played the pivotal role in the successful run chase, hitting 13 fours and sharing important stands with Frith (29) and Tim Vokes (22) before the middle-order all chipped in.
Sparsholt got home by five wickets with nine overs to spare and take a decent 26 point lead into Saturday’s testing visit to Waterlooville.
But Jeremy Frith’s side has another crunch match looming on the immediate horizon – a trip to second placed Waterlooville this Saturday.
A season’s best 79 not out by Michael Haworth pointed Sparsholt to their ninth successive win from a top-table duel that produced glowing praise from standing South Coast Panel umpire Tim May.
Speaking against the background of growing on-field behavioural problems in local recreational cricket, May described the Rowledge-Sparsholt match as “the most impeccably well behaved game of cricket I have umpired in a very long time.
“Both teams merrily chatted long after stumps with their opponents and the two umpires.
“It was a very pleasant throw back to the old days.”
Rowledge, though, will have been disappointed to have allowed a promising position at 105-1 to be wrestled away.
Chris Yates (81) and Sam Plater (59) did the hard work before Sparsholt spin duo Frith (4-36) and Nick Doubell (3-37) created significant inroads for the visitors.
The Rowledge total of 194-9 was probably 25 or so shot of what skipper Ben Wish wanted – and so it proved.
Haworth played the pivotal role in the successful run chase, hitting 13 fours and sharing important stands with Frith (29) and Tim Vokes (22) before the middle-order all chipped in.
Sparsholt got home by five wickets with nine overs to spare and take a decent 26 point lead into Saturday’s testing visit to Waterlooville.
Even Sparsholt captain Jeremy Frith can't cope with the lightning speed of Ben Wish's hands ...
Liam Doran launches a big six [Bob Selley]
