South Wilts’ seven match-winning run – which has long suggested an unrelenting surge towards a fourth successive ECB Southern Electric Premier League title - has been checked.
They were held to a draw by Burridge, who emerged with a greater share of the bonus points from a Time pennant game which ebbed and flowed during its 120-overs.
South Wilts, having been in difficulty at 132-5, posted 276-8, with Burridge, fuelled by former Hampshire all-rounder Lee Savident, responding with 251-7 and earning a ‘winning draw’ in the process.
Having been put into bat, South Wilts prospered, with Eddie Abel’s 12-boundary 57 – his third half-century of the season – propelling the defending champions to 107-1.
But any prospect of South Wilts’ taking lunch with a commanding total were pegged back as Dan Stancliffe (3-56) and Savident removed four batsmen for 25 runs to leave the visitors in need of an innings rebuild at 132-5.
William Wade and James Hibberd duly obliged with a near century sixth-wicket stand, which pointed South Wilts towards their eventual total.
Wade, pictured by Rob Franklin, has just finished his GCSE examinations but, at 16 years of age, is looking a fine prospect, one perhaps Hampshire’s academy scouts should monitor more closely.
His 60 was his second fifty-plus score in three Premier Division knocks, while Hibberd made 59 before Savident, bowling off-breaks as he approaches XL Club eligibility, wrapped things up to finish with 3-63.
Burridge, second from bottom of the log before start of play, made an uncertain start losing Derek Kenway and Jamie Richards cheaply.
But Hampshire’s Joe Gatting (34) fired, adding a positive 53 with the patient Will Steward (54).
Savident’s arrival at the crease at 75-3 put South Wilts on the defensive and, for some time, threatened the outcome.
He struck three sixes and nine fours in an run-a-ball 83 – his stand with Steward yielding 90 and taking Burridge to 216-5 and to within a potential tilt at the South Wilts total.
“Savident and Steward both batted really well. Needing 120 off the last 20 overs with six wickets in hand they were in a fairly strong position,” said Tom Morton.
“The deck wasn’t the easiest to play your shots on so chasing the game was always going to be tricky. At this point both teams could win and it left for a really intriguing finish.
Savident’s eventual dismissal and a double break by Ryan Duffield (4-50) denied Burridge what for a while might have been a day if glory.
In the end, they were indebted to Joe Collings-Wells (22 not out) for getting the 251 runs they needed to earn the ‘winning draw’ their performance thoroughly warranted.
Reflecting on the outcome, Morton said: “I don’t think the scoreboard would reflect what a good game it was.
“With all three results still possible going into the last ten overs, as well as the winning draw margin to consider, it provided plenty of possibilities to think about and a good test for the players – never mind the poor old captain !”
They were held to a draw by Burridge, who emerged with a greater share of the bonus points from a Time pennant game which ebbed and flowed during its 120-overs.
South Wilts, having been in difficulty at 132-5, posted 276-8, with Burridge, fuelled by former Hampshire all-rounder Lee Savident, responding with 251-7 and earning a ‘winning draw’ in the process.
Having been put into bat, South Wilts prospered, with Eddie Abel’s 12-boundary 57 – his third half-century of the season – propelling the defending champions to 107-1.
But any prospect of South Wilts’ taking lunch with a commanding total were pegged back as Dan Stancliffe (3-56) and Savident removed four batsmen for 25 runs to leave the visitors in need of an innings rebuild at 132-5.
William Wade and James Hibberd duly obliged with a near century sixth-wicket stand, which pointed South Wilts towards their eventual total.
Wade, pictured by Rob Franklin, has just finished his GCSE examinations but, at 16 years of age, is looking a fine prospect, one perhaps Hampshire’s academy scouts should monitor more closely.
His 60 was his second fifty-plus score in three Premier Division knocks, while Hibberd made 59 before Savident, bowling off-breaks as he approaches XL Club eligibility, wrapped things up to finish with 3-63.
Burridge, second from bottom of the log before start of play, made an uncertain start losing Derek Kenway and Jamie Richards cheaply.
But Hampshire’s Joe Gatting (34) fired, adding a positive 53 with the patient Will Steward (54).
Savident’s arrival at the crease at 75-3 put South Wilts on the defensive and, for some time, threatened the outcome.
He struck three sixes and nine fours in an run-a-ball 83 – his stand with Steward yielding 90 and taking Burridge to 216-5 and to within a potential tilt at the South Wilts total.
“Savident and Steward both batted really well. Needing 120 off the last 20 overs with six wickets in hand they were in a fairly strong position,” said Tom Morton.
“The deck wasn’t the easiest to play your shots on so chasing the game was always going to be tricky. At this point both teams could win and it left for a really intriguing finish.
Savident’s eventual dismissal and a double break by Ryan Duffield (4-50) denied Burridge what for a while might have been a day if glory.
In the end, they were indebted to Joe Collings-Wells (22 not out) for getting the 251 runs they needed to earn the ‘winning draw’ their performance thoroughly warranted.
Reflecting on the outcome, Morton said: “I don’t think the scoreboard would reflect what a good game it was.
“With all three results still possible going into the last ten overs, as well as the winning draw margin to consider, it provided plenty of possibilities to think about and a good test for the players – never mind the poor old captain !”
