George Marshall, Hambledon century maker Sparsholt struck a significant blow in their bid for National Village Cricket Cup success when they checked a spirited fightback by Southern Premier League rivals Paultons to win by 28 runs at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Openers Stuart Tognarelli (73) and Mike Haworth (38) provided an ideal launchp, while a half-century by Ed Jenner (52) helped last year’s county winners post 217-5.
Paultons made only 18 runs off their first ten overs and, after a spurt by Rob O’Brien (36), were 80-3 at the halfway point of their reply.
A typically powerful 53 - 44 came in boundaries – by Tony Richman got Paultons right back in the match, but Jon Sankey’s spell of 4-41 kept matters in check and the visitors fell 28 short at stumps.
Sparsholt’s reward is a second round home tie with Godshill on Sunday week, May 15.
George Marshall hit 123 as Hambledon built a total of 265-5 against visiting Easton & Martyr Worthy, who went down by 146 runs at Ridge Meadow.
The little left-hand opener hit four sixes and 12 fours in his century, sharing a series of partnerships with Will Bond (23), Jack Lavous (24) and Paul Vickers (45) as EMW were batted out of the game.
Easton, Village Cup semi-finalists in their heyday, were dismissed for 119 (Pete Cooper 44), with George Harding taking 3-17.
Hambledon now visit 2015 county finalists Eversley, who knocked out Oakley.
A staggering 534 runs were scored as VC debutants Langley Manor posted 282-7 to see off hosts Amport, whose 252-9 response included an unbeaten century from Lee Ayres.
Steve Harris (79) and Jack Budd (66) got the Manor off to a flier with an opening stand of 141, which Nick Jenkin (51), teenager Elliott Ponting (37) and Graham Noble (16 not out) improved.
Amport were 65-3, but a 95-run partnership between Lee Ayres (3-34) and Nick Birks (37) got them back in the game at 160-4.
Langley’s errant fielding – they spilled eight catches – gave centurion Ayes a number of lives and he was 113 not out with Amport a gallant 252-9 at stumps.
Half-centuries by Joe Batchelor (58) and Craig Proctor (51) helped Follands post 229-3 at Damerham, who made 155-3 (O’Donnell 58) in reply.
Follands now host Hursley Park, who trimmed Sway by six wickets at The Quarters.
Skipper Nick Wheeler (3-25) and left-arm spinner Matt Oliver (3-13) shared the bowling spoils as Sway were dismissed for 120 (Steadman 36, Millard 37).
Joe Theobald carried his bat for 60 not out to guide HP home alongside Matt Branford (26) and Oliver (25 not out).
Tichborne Park were struggling at 48-3 against Longparish, but through a half-century by Jack Skinner (51) and middle-order knocks from Martin Cheyney (31), Will Allam (34) and Paul Primmer (27) managed to post 179-7 (Scott Sturt 3-34).
Longparish also suffered early losses, but a middle order rally from Matt Jackman (34) and George Kousseff (17) kept hopes high. The reintroduction of Will Allam (3-28) to the Tichborne attack proved decisive, as he picked up wickets with successive balls to secure a 39-run win for Tichborne Park.
Shrewton eased through without having to bowl a ball in anger as Bere Regis, their scheduled opponents pulled out, but Parley went through (to face Burbage) with a five-wicket win at Beehive Southwick. Redlynch & Hale had a first round bye.
