Emergency opener Jeremy Bulled overcame the pain barrier to celebrate a maiden ECB Southern Premier League century as title favourites Havant trimmed St Cross Symondians by 22 runs to cement their position at the top.
Bulled fractured a middle finger keeping wicket two weeks ago and had to be persuaded to open the batting as neither skipper Ben Walker nor Rob Gibson was available.
He underlined his batting credentials with a back-to-the-wall 90 for Havant at Bashley (Rydal) last month.
And rose to the task at the Green Jackets Ground by underpinning Havant’s 275-6 with a competitive best 113, an innings which lasted 153 balls and contained a six and nine fours.
With middle-order support from Chris Stone (35), Andy Gorvin (30) and Richard Hindley (27), Bulled guided Havant towards a match winning total.
Tom Foyle’s first SPL century for St Cross Symondians – he clouted three sixes and 12 fours in a best ever 102 – ensured that Havant kept a watchful eye on the scoreboard.
But when Foyle ran out of steam and was fourth out at 169, the St Cross threat ebbed away and though Charlie Ayers (41) kept the board ticking, Symondians lost wickets and closed 253 all out, left-arm spinner Thomas Vanderslik taking 3-37.
* Jez Bulled photo by Roy Hollobone.
Bulled fractured a middle finger keeping wicket two weeks ago and had to be persuaded to open the batting as neither skipper Ben Walker nor Rob Gibson was available.
He underlined his batting credentials with a back-to-the-wall 90 for Havant at Bashley (Rydal) last month.
And rose to the task at the Green Jackets Ground by underpinning Havant’s 275-6 with a competitive best 113, an innings which lasted 153 balls and contained a six and nine fours.
With middle-order support from Chris Stone (35), Andy Gorvin (30) and Richard Hindley (27), Bulled guided Havant towards a match winning total.
Tom Foyle’s first SPL century for St Cross Symondians – he clouted three sixes and 12 fours in a best ever 102 – ensured that Havant kept a watchful eye on the scoreboard.
But when Foyle ran out of steam and was fourth out at 169, the St Cross threat ebbed away and though Charlie Ayers (41) kept the board ticking, Symondians lost wickets and closed 253 all out, left-arm spinner Thomas Vanderslik taking 3-37.
* Jez Bulled photo by Roy Hollobone.
