FIRSTS SECOND, SECONDS SECOND!
 
ECB SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION 2
 
Sparsholt 206 for 9 beat Calmore Sports 171 all out by 35 runs.
 
Sparsholt, sponsored by Cala Homes, put in another fine performance for Andy Worth which sees them leapfrog their opponents and move into second place in a very closely contested league.  Two fine all-round performances by Australian Jayden Derosa and sixteen year old Mike Haworth supported by solid contributions from everyone else proved vital as heavy morning rain had threatened to force a delayed start. Skipper Worth feared the worst as he lost the toss and Sparsholt were invited to bat on a drying wicket but Derosa anchored the innings with a solid and determined 66. At the other end all chipped in with contributions on a wicket far more challenging than those of the last three week’s. Ed Jenner (17), Jon Sankey (19) and Dave Gough (15) all helped West Australian Derosa early on and at 125 for 3 Sparsholt looked well placed to post their fourth successive 250 plus total. The loss of Gough and Tim Vokes in quick succession though threatened progress, as Mark Lavelle (3 for 26) and Ben Perry (2 for 26) made inroads, but Mike Haworth (27 not out) and Worth (16) kept things moving with Derosa and ‘keeper Adam Gough (12 not out) blasted a couple of boundaries in the final over to get the ‘trees’ another bonus point and past the psychological 200 mark, as the innings ended. For calmore, Mike West also took two wickets.
When Calmore replied, paceman Alex Dilley’s radar was off target, but Jon Vokes (2 for 39) removed both openers to put the ‘trees’ on top – first he bowled Calmore skipper Darren Vann, then skipper Worth took a good catch at mid-on from a head high bullet-like drive from Mark Lavelle. Sixteen year old Ben Johns, who scored a big hundred the week before, and Ben Perry steadily rebuilt as the visitors had to work hard for another breakthrough, but Derosa bowled Perry for 14, and just before drinks, Johns (41) skied a return catch to Derosa. Tom Pegler then gave Derosa a return catch from another bullet-like drive which the Aussie did brilliantly to hang on to. Dave Gough produced another tidy spell at the other end and was rewarded when Mike West gave Tim Vokes a good running catch on the mid-wicket boundary. Derosa fourth wicket removed James Rose, but even that did not break Calmore’s resistance. Derosa was denied a ‘five-fer’ as a very close lbw appeal was turned down, and had to be content with macth winning figures of 4 for 32. Even though victory looked a long way away for Calmore, George Woodall (28 not out) and Mike Donavon (17) again rebuilt taking the score to 171, but with the required run rate rising Mike Haworth (3 for 25) returned and took the last three wickets in five balls to give Sparsholt victory by 35 runs. Captain Andy Worth was delighted with the result stateing " As a team we are really starting to work as a unit with significant contributions from all players in the squad, Derosa had a great game as did Adam Gough who for the third consecutive week conceded no byes , our fielding has improved , our batting is coming together nicely with players understanding their roles and the variety of bowling options certainly makes us a confident side"
On Saturday, Sparsholt entertain Totton and Eling at Locks Lane looking to repeat their victory earlier in the season and strengthen their promotion prospects
 
HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE – COUNTY DIV 4N
 
POTTER TON SETS UP WIN
 
Sparsholt II (248-8) beat Holybourne (136 all out) by 112 runs
 
Sparsholt stayed in second place and maintained their promotion push with a comfortable 112 run win against struggling Holybourne. Put in by the visiting captain, Sparsholt openers George Potter and Oscar Birnie started circumspectly, reaching 18-0 off 10 overs. Sparsholt, however, picked up the pace against the change bowlers, as Birnie and Potter extended their opening partnership to 89 before Birnie (23) miscued a pull shot straight to square leg. Potter, Brook (10) and Vaughan (30) increased the scoring rate, before young visiting spinner Xavier Boucharean (5-66) made inroads into the Sparsholt middle order. Andy Pryce (28*) added late impetus, and Potter (101) completed his maiden league ton, Sparsholt ending on a competitive 248-8.
Tom Brook claimed a wicket with the 3rd ball of the Holybourne reply, but some incredible hitting from Joe Can (78), including 6 huge 6’s gave the innings some momentum. However, when Andy Pryce (3-52) claimed the crucial wicket of Can, wickets tumbled, and it was left to Brook (3-44) and the returning Haider Ali (4-31) to mop up the tail as Sparsholt completed a convincing victory. The trees visit Compton and Chandlers Ford II next week aiming for their fourth consecutive victory.
 
Picture 1. George Potter acknowledges applause for his century
 
Picture 2. Sparsholt II’s who defeated Holybourne. Back Row: Oscar Birnie, Greg Whiting, Alex Thornton, Haida, Craig Charlesworth, Andy Pryce. Front: Simon Herridge, Tom Brook, Richard Vaughn (capt), George Potter, Will Rowe.
 
Pictures 3 and 4. Jayden Derosa and Mike Haworth – fine all-round performances for the trees