WEEKEND DISAPPOINTMENT
 
On Saturday, high-flying Sparsholt went to Paultons looking to consolidate their second place in the SPL Division 2, but were thwarted by a faultless century by home batsman Scott Duggan. New Zealander Duggan (115) produced a high class innings, punishing anything overpitched in particular with well placed drives, running to the boundary on a fast outfield. Good support from the rest of the top order kept the scoreboard moving as Sparsholt’s bowlers, despite being bolstered by the return of pacemen Alex Dilley and Mike Haworth, struggled to make inroads. The bowlers though did enjoy some success later in the afternoon as Dilley and Haworth picked up a brace apiece, and Jayden Derosa finished with 3 for 62. When Sparsholt replied, Ed Jenner was dismissed in the second over, Derosa (18) and Lewis Dunford (27) steadied things, but the ‘trees’ batsmen lost wickets steadily as they tried to up the run rate. Jon Sankey (21) and Tim Vokes took the score to 97, Vokes hitting four fours and four massive sixes in an excellent 54, but when he was run out, only brother Jon Vokes (15) and Simon Straker (13 not out) reached double figures as Sparsholt crumbled to 174 all out, 91 runs short of the 265 score set by Paultons. Despite this defeat, Sparsholt remain in second place, but with a visit to table toppers Rowledge on Saturday they will need to be at their best to secure victory, and stay in the promotion slot.
Sparsholt second’s promotion bid also took a huge knock as they were unable to defend a below par total of 161 at home to Amesbury. The consistent Richard Vaughn (56) anchored the innings, but was unable to steer the team to a defendable total and the visitors knocked off the required runs for the loss of seven wickets. Things were no better for the third team, reduced to ten men by late dropouts. Tom Proctor’s excellent week continued as he took 5 for 10 and he effected two run outs as well. James Dorward took 2 for 10 as Winterslow were dismissed for a lowly 56. Any thought of an easy win were soon dispelled as the hosts lost four wickets in no time. Jose Ribiero added 15, and Jordan Glasspool 9, but no one else was able to make an effective contribution. Chairman Martin Harlow and Adam Trivett nearly got the hosts home, but it was not to be as Rick Barlow’s five wickets for fourteen runs dismissed Sparsholt for 47, nine runs short of their target.