WATERLOOVILLE CHAIRMAN SPEAKS OUT ON PLAYER BAN

Matt Benfield

Leaders Sparsholt can put significant light between themselves and the rest of the Southern Premier League Division 2 field by winning their top of the table clash at Rowledge.
An eight-match winning sequence has given them a 14-point lead at the top – one they can enhance considerably with a win on the Surrey county boundary.
Spin bowlers are expected to dominate at Church Road, where the ball turned appreciably in last Sunday’s Village Cup defeat by Mayfield.
Rowledge: Chris Yates Jnr, Sam Plater, Jake Wish, Ben Wish, Sam Moseley, David Lloyd, Fraser Wilson, Will Ryman, Ollie Baker, George Keeley, Steve Martin.
Sparsholt: Frith, Haworth, Vokes, Banks, O’Brien, Doubell, Taylor, Doran, Phagami, Weir, Thornton.
Third placed Waterlooville have banned opening batsman James Scutt for three matches, starting at Trojans.
Whilst Scutt's absence for the next three weeks will be a big loss, Ville chairman Andy Reynolds emphasised that discipline was something the Rowlands Avenue club takes seriously, saying:
"Cricket comes first - before any individuals.
"As chairman I played a big part in making the decision. It is important we remain true to the game and its principles.
"All our players, members and supporters are expected to support this. We have families involved in the club and coming along to watch the cricket.
"It is vital we uphold the laws of the game. We have to set an example and maintain it through thick and thin.
"However, it is massively disappointing other clubs have not followed suit and the league's enforcement has not been consistent."
Scutt's offences took place in the nine-wicket defeat at Basingstoke a fortnight ago, when Ville's run of five straight wins ended.
Division 3 pace setters Fair Oak look to extend their 24-point lead at Purbrook, but in-form opener Will Hughes is missing on what is expected to be a spin friendly top.
Fair Oak: Hockenhull, Watson, Kemp, Gwynn, Smith, Bullough, Abbas, Oxley, McKenzie, Featherstone, Stewart.
Second placed Bashley (Rydal) II have former Bath bat/keeper Zak Millar in their line up against South Wilts II, who give third team run gun Adam Prescott an overdue debut.
Bashley (Rydal) II: Underwood, A Turner, Vaughan, Z Millar, j Turner, S Morris, Gates, Pressland,Taylor, Eede, Laurent.
South Wilts II:   Phillips, Berzins, Cranch, Stearman, Pearce, Pittman, Prescott, Pittman, Fisher, Wade, Ghauri.
Portsmouth & Southsea’s prospects for the coming weeks have been hit by an untimely Achilles injury to lead all-rounder Matt Benfield, who looks set to miss a large chunk of the remaining matches. P & S face a Gosport Borough side in need of a win.
After winning their last two matches, Fawley have no hesitation in naming an unchanged side to go to Havant II for a significant match in the basement battle.