A magnificent all-round display from Ben White earned Fareham & Crofton a thrilling one-wicket Southern Premier Division Three win over Tichborne Park at Bath Lane.
White (4-54) knocked over Tichborne’s top three batsmen as the visitors lurched to 104-6 before being bowled out for 226 and later, with Fareham in awful trouble at 124-8 (Dan Wimble 39), he emerged from the dressing room at number ten to strike an astonishing 83 not out and win the match.
Fareham still needed 19 runs when their ninth wicket fell but White and last man James Headen held their nerve to edge the team over the winning line.
Fareham’s Australian vice-captain James Heiniger praised the class of White who, with 171 runs and 17 wickets, is arguably the side’s most influential player.
“Ben produced a Herculean effort because we needed 102 to win when he went in at number ten,” he said.
“He crashed 83 off 53 balls with some wonderful power hitting. His aggression was on display when he smacked three successive sixes. Ben's fifty came up after about 26 balls.
“In both our wins this season (Lymington was the other) he has been the most influential player. We have struggled with the bat so far and Ben has often found himself coming in with a bit of work to do. He has done that for us. His game has improved and he now has a good understanding of when he needs to go big.”
Martin Cheyney (50) and Ed Berry, with an unbeaten 55, took advantage of some weak mid-innings Fareham bowling and lifted the visitors to 226 all out.
Fareham’s fragile top order went over once again, but Chris Davey, with a typically aggressive 32, and significantly Luke Cornish put vital runs on the board.
It was Cornish’s 84-run ninth-wicket stand with White that proved so vital in the end for Fareham, who edged their way out of the immediate drop zone on the back of their one-wicket win.
Heiniger is confident Fareham promoted in third place from County Division 1 last season, can stay up.
“After losing heavily (to Hambledon and Fawley) in the last two weeks this is a great confidence booster,' said Heiniger. “We knew it was going to be tough right from the start. We are still to produce our best and there is plenty more to come particularly with our batting.”
White (4-54) knocked over Tichborne’s top three batsmen as the visitors lurched to 104-6 before being bowled out for 226 and later, with Fareham in awful trouble at 124-8 (Dan Wimble 39), he emerged from the dressing room at number ten to strike an astonishing 83 not out and win the match.
Fareham still needed 19 runs when their ninth wicket fell but White and last man James Headen held their nerve to edge the team over the winning line.
Fareham’s Australian vice-captain James Heiniger praised the class of White who, with 171 runs and 17 wickets, is arguably the side’s most influential player.
“Ben produced a Herculean effort because we needed 102 to win when he went in at number ten,” he said.
“He crashed 83 off 53 balls with some wonderful power hitting. His aggression was on display when he smacked three successive sixes. Ben's fifty came up after about 26 balls.
“In both our wins this season (Lymington was the other) he has been the most influential player. We have struggled with the bat so far and Ben has often found himself coming in with a bit of work to do. He has done that for us. His game has improved and he now has a good understanding of when he needs to go big.”
Martin Cheyney (50) and Ed Berry, with an unbeaten 55, took advantage of some weak mid-innings Fareham bowling and lifted the visitors to 226 all out.
Fareham’s fragile top order went over once again, but Chris Davey, with a typically aggressive 32, and significantly Luke Cornish put vital runs on the board.
It was Cornish’s 84-run ninth-wicket stand with White that proved so vital in the end for Fareham, who edged their way out of the immediate drop zone on the back of their one-wicket win.
Heiniger is confident Fareham promoted in third place from County Division 1 last season, can stay up.
“After losing heavily (to Hambledon and Fawley) in the last two weeks this is a great confidence booster,' said Heiniger. “We knew it was going to be tough right from the start. We are still to produce our best and there is plenty more to come particularly with our batting.”
