There was high National Village Cup drama at Rowledge, where a desperate last-ball full length diving save from Will Davies saved the local Premier Division 1 side from defeat against visiting l’Anson League champions Blackheath, who had been set 169 to win.
The ball was going for a six which would have meant a tie and Blackheath going through to play Frensham in the Surrey county final by virtue of least wickets lost.
But though he didn’t make the catch, Davies stopped crossing the boundary line to give relieved Rowledge a five-run win.
Davies (48), with Ricky Yates (25), had earlier got Rowledge off to a flier with 53-0 off nine overs, but only Ian Metcalfe prospered after that as the hosts closed 169-8.
Facing some equally tight bowling from Yates and Jake Wish, Blackheath had only 45-2 on the board at the halfway point of their reply, but they got closer and closer, losing wickets – four to David Lloyd – before facing that ‘six to win off the last ball’ scenario. It could hardly have been tighter ...
Paul Marks cracked a second consecutive Village Cup century – only to finish a loser as Hursley Park were comfortably beaten by Tichborne Park.
Marks, who hit 125 in Hursley’s win at Follands in the previous round, made 102 of their 187-6 (Joe Theobald 32) in the county semi-final.
But Tichborne, for whom Jake Bristow took three wickets and Paul Primmer returned a tidy 2-22, polished off the runs with eight overs to spare. Tom Allam made 56, Ed Berry 41 not out, Paul Primmer 27 and cousin Ed 26.
Tichborne will host Hambledon – 60 run winners over Sparsholt – in the Hampshire final on Sunday week, June 12.
Skipper Will Bond (63), James Marshall (58) and elder brother George (43) guided Hambledon to 218-4.
Stuart Tognarelli (31) gave Sparsholt’s reply a bright start, but the middle-order caved in against Rhidian Chapman (4-29) and at 79-7 it was game over.
Kings’ schoolboy Nick Doubell (28) helped Sparsholt close with 158-9.
Like Paul Marks, Redlynch & Hale’s Dave Webber also hit a Village Cup century in vain.
He powered two sixes and 15 fours in a valiant 106, but his team-mates managed only 52 runs between them as Goatacre (255-9) won by 97 runs.
They will host Parley in the Dorset/Wiltshire final, the Hampshire League club having overhauled Shrewton’s 196 (Will Sleeman 58) to win by nine wickets, with Sam Collins (79) and Owen Morris (74) to the fore.
The ball was going for a six which would have meant a tie and Blackheath going through to play Frensham in the Surrey county final by virtue of least wickets lost.
But though he didn’t make the catch, Davies stopped crossing the boundary line to give relieved Rowledge a five-run win.
Davies (48), with Ricky Yates (25), had earlier got Rowledge off to a flier with 53-0 off nine overs, but only Ian Metcalfe prospered after that as the hosts closed 169-8.
Facing some equally tight bowling from Yates and Jake Wish, Blackheath had only 45-2 on the board at the halfway point of their reply, but they got closer and closer, losing wickets – four to David Lloyd – before facing that ‘six to win off the last ball’ scenario. It could hardly have been tighter ...
Paul Marks cracked a second consecutive Village Cup century – only to finish a loser as Hursley Park were comfortably beaten by Tichborne Park.
Marks, who hit 125 in Hursley’s win at Follands in the previous round, made 102 of their 187-6 (Joe Theobald 32) in the county semi-final.
But Tichborne, for whom Jake Bristow took three wickets and Paul Primmer returned a tidy 2-22, polished off the runs with eight overs to spare. Tom Allam made 56, Ed Berry 41 not out, Paul Primmer 27 and cousin Ed 26.
Tichborne will host Hambledon – 60 run winners over Sparsholt – in the Hampshire final on Sunday week, June 12.
Skipper Will Bond (63), James Marshall (58) and elder brother George (43) guided Hambledon to 218-4.
Stuart Tognarelli (31) gave Sparsholt’s reply a bright start, but the middle-order caved in against Rhidian Chapman (4-29) and at 79-7 it was game over.
Kings’ schoolboy Nick Doubell (28) helped Sparsholt close with 158-9.
Like Paul Marks, Redlynch & Hale’s Dave Webber also hit a Village Cup century in vain.
He powered two sixes and 15 fours in a valiant 106, but his team-mates managed only 52 runs between them as Goatacre (255-9) won by 97 runs.
They will host Parley in the Dorset/Wiltshire final, the Hampshire League club having overhauled Shrewton’s 196 (Will Sleeman 58) to win by nine wickets, with Sam Collins (79) and Owen Morris (74) to the fore.
