There will be no Lord’s trip for Calmore Sports this season – the finalists for the past two years and winners in 2021 having been sent spinning out of the competition, quite literally, after being unable to bowl a ball in anger.
Being paired against Southern Premier League Division 1 rivals Sarisbury Athletic was always going to be a tough first round ordeal for Calmore, especially when they had to concede home advantage due to Loperwood Park being waterlogged.
When the heavens opened shortly before play was due to commence at Allotment Road yesterday, any hope of physically playing the game – or even having a bow-out – disappeared.
That left left-arm seamer Steve Wright, in what was due to be his captaincy bow, facing Sarisbury’s Josh Hill in a one-off coin toss to decide who went through to entertain Overton next Sunday.
Unaware of the adage ‘tails never fails’, Wright called heads – and it landed tails. 2021 national champions Calmore Sports were out, without bowling ball !
“What a captaincy record to have on your CV. Played none, lost one,” Wright sighed.
The same fate befell Rob Pike, who was due to captain Paultons, whose tie against Overton was also called off. This time Overton called correctly.
Sparsholt did manage to avoid the rain bit, after a bright start with the bat, lost by four wickets to Sway at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Wholesale personnel changes have led to Sparsholt fielding a new look side but they began well with teenager Will Berrill (54) and captain, former South Wilts II opener Tom Berzins (47) sharing a 93-run opening partnership.
Once the openers parted, Sparsholt collapsed, losing eight wickets for 45 runs, Southampton University student Toby Ramwell (4-28) and Daryl Elford (3-9) doing the damage.
Sway lost skipper Tim Noble without a run on the board, but the experienced Jon Grasham (41) and steadfast Richard Thomas (24) put on 83 for the second wicket and Sway in control.
Adam Clark (11), alongside the busy Tom Burton (11) and Ramwell (14) saw Sway clinch victory and a tasty home tie with Ventnor at Station Road net Sunday, 1pm.
Redlynch & Hale went on a run spree, racking up 261-6 against visiting Horningsham, whom they beat by 137 runs.
Nathan Pollard (80) and Andrew Souter (78) enjoyed a century third-wicket stand before the visitors lost their last five wickets for six runs, George Hayes finishing with 4-42.
Being paired against Southern Premier League Division 1 rivals Sarisbury Athletic was always going to be a tough first round ordeal for Calmore, especially when they had to concede home advantage due to Loperwood Park being waterlogged.
When the heavens opened shortly before play was due to commence at Allotment Road yesterday, any hope of physically playing the game – or even having a bow-out – disappeared.
That left left-arm seamer Steve Wright, in what was due to be his captaincy bow, facing Sarisbury’s Josh Hill in a one-off coin toss to decide who went through to entertain Overton next Sunday.
Unaware of the adage ‘tails never fails’, Wright called heads – and it landed tails. 2021 national champions Calmore Sports were out, without bowling ball !
“What a captaincy record to have on your CV. Played none, lost one,” Wright sighed.
The same fate befell Rob Pike, who was due to captain Paultons, whose tie against Overton was also called off. This time Overton called correctly.
Sparsholt did manage to avoid the rain bit, after a bright start with the bat, lost by four wickets to Sway at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Wholesale personnel changes have led to Sparsholt fielding a new look side but they began well with teenager Will Berrill (54) and captain, former South Wilts II opener Tom Berzins (47) sharing a 93-run opening partnership.
Once the openers parted, Sparsholt collapsed, losing eight wickets for 45 runs, Southampton University student Toby Ramwell (4-28) and Daryl Elford (3-9) doing the damage.
Sway lost skipper Tim Noble without a run on the board, but the experienced Jon Grasham (41) and steadfast Richard Thomas (24) put on 83 for the second wicket and Sway in control.
Adam Clark (11), alongside the busy Tom Burton (11) and Ramwell (14) saw Sway clinch victory and a tasty home tie with Ventnor at Station Road net Sunday, 1pm.
Redlynch & Hale went on a run spree, racking up 261-6 against visiting Horningsham, whom they beat by 137 runs.
Nathan Pollard (80) and Andrew Souter (78) enjoyed a century third-wicket stand before the visitors lost their last five wickets for six runs, George Hayes finishing with 4-42.