A confident batting display from Cala Homes sponsored Sparsholt saw off the challenge of Havant II, with the hosts winning by 76 runs. Dave Gough top scored with a superb 93, his best Southern League score for the club, whilst Jayden Derosa shone with the ball, claiming four wickets for 19 runs.

Captain for the day Lewis Dunford won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Derosa and John Sankey started on the attack, with both finding early boundaries. But Havant managed to take early wickets, trapping Derosa lbw for 8, and running out Sankey for 12 shortly after with a direct hit. Tom Foster was unfortunate as he was dismissed in a close lbw call, taking Sparsholt’s score to 47-3. Youngster Mike Haworth hit 2 fours on his way to 14, but he was caught and bowled to leave the hosts on 66-4. Ed Jenner soon followed Haworth back to the pavilion as he was trapped lbw. Lewis Dunford had set about steadying the innings at the other end when Dave Gough came in alongside him. The pair pushed Sparsholt past 100 from 71-5. At 112-5, Havant had a chance to break the partnership, however Gough earned a reprieve as the fielder put down a difficult diving catch. Gough hit 5 sixes as he powered past his 50, whilst Dunford continued to build up his score. Sparsholt upped the run-rate in the last twenty overs, allowing Dunford to pass his 50 and Gough to edge closer to a century. Havant finally broke Sparsholt’s sixth wicket partnership, as Dunford was caught for 62. Gough fell just short of his century, as his aggressive innings came to an end as he was caught for 93 moments later. The pair put on 159 runs, bringing Sparsholt up to 230-7. Tim Vokes came in and hit a quick fire 28 from 10 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes. Jon Vokes hit a four from the final ball of the innings to ensure the hosts finished on 269-8. Havant’s Andrew Gallier took three wickets.

After tea, Sparsholt took two early wickets, with Jon Vokes and Alex Dilley taking a wicket a piece. However Havant’s third wicket proved tough to beat, and they raced to 50-2 off just six overs. Sparsholt had two big lbw appeals turned down, but it would be third time lucky as Dave Gough trapped James Robson for 42, leaving Havant on 77-3. Havant rode their luck before drinks, as Sparsholt dropped two catches in successive balls. Dave Gough picked up the fourth wicket in bizarre fashion, as the ball ricocheted off keeper Adam Gough to stump James Christian for 10. Havant appeared to be settling back in, but the introduction of Jayden Derosa into the bowling attack brought immediate results, as he bowled Steve Dean for 69 and had a lbw appeal turned down on the next ball. Sparsholt looked to have gained the upper hand, and this was confirmed as Ed Jenner took a high catch at midwicket from John Sankey’s bowling, leaving the visitors on 183-6. Derosa took two quick wickets, as he trapped Loat (0) lbw and then bowled Burns (25). Tim Vokes claimed his first wicket, as Lewis Dunford caught Dyer for 1 before Jayden Derosa bowled Dix for 0, ending Havant’s innings on 193 all out.

Sparsholt Seconds maintained their push for promotion with a comfortable five wicket win at Donnington as accurate bowling restricted the home side to 100, but the Third team’s promotion hopes were dented as they could only post 126 (Martin Patterson top scoring with 35) which Calmore passed for the loss of just 4 wickets.

Next week, Sparsholt’s First team travel to Calmore Sports in a match that pits fourth against third, whilst the Seconds are at home to Holybourne and the Thirds host Ashurst & Lyndhurst.