Saturday 1st XI Vs Hartley Wintney

On paper, both side's batting line ups contrived to make Saturday's Southern Premier Cricket League Division 2 opener a real spectacle. On a wicket that offered little lateral movement off the surface for either spinners or seamers Sparsholt made slow but steady progress initially having won the toss and elected to bat. The Hartley Wintney bowlers, backed up by some solid fielding, held a steady line and length and never really allowed the Sparsholt batters the opportunity to score freely.

Wickets fell at regular intervals with batters getting in and then getting out. Banks, Norris, Kennett and Foster all made starts but were unable to go on and play the big innings that was required. At 93 for 7 Sparsholt were in danger of not posting a total to defend, however Frith and Mitchel put together a partnership of 41 that briefly threatened to elevate Sparsholt to somewhere near 200.

However, some needless dismissals again handed the advantage back to Hartley Wintney with Sparsholt eventually all out in the 46th over for 149. 50 to 70 runs short of what would have probably been par. 

Sparsholt made an early inroad to the Hartley Wintney innings as Kerr drove loosely to lob an easy catch to Banks at point off Haworth. However, after an initial tight spell Collier (79) got stuck in to the Sparsholt attack paying strong shots up and down the ground with a full face showing the pitch had little in it to worry batters. He dominated a partnership of 100 with Plume (17) before he fell trying to manufacture a shot through cover off Frith's left arm spin.

At 109 for 2 Hartley Wintney were in prime position to coast home but Sparsholt's attack had other ideas. Backed up by solid fielding and tidy wicket keeping from debutant Jake Dunford, Sparsholt began clawing themselves back in to the game from a near impossible position. Frith held a tight line attacking the stumps, and Hartley Wintney's innings began to grind to a halt. Dot balls were interspersed with poor decision making which resulted in a needless run out and more wickets for Frith. At 137 for 7 and Frith in his final over the game was in the balance. Two close LBW's were turned down and a third given to leave the visitors at 138 for 8, Frith finishing with 10-4-21-6.

Sparsholt couldn't quite slam the door shut and Hartley Wintney inched themselves closer finishing the game off with a huge blow over midwicket for 6 to gain a narrow 2 wicket victory. 

Sparsholt captain Jeremy Frith commented: 

"We've obviously got to get clearer about how we are going to bat, and show better decision making in tight situations when scoring is tricky. That said we showed real character and fight last year in rescuing some games with the ball and in the field which that was evident again yesterday."