Sparsholt 209 all out beat Hartley Wintney 205 for 8 by four runs.

An accurate final over from 16 year old debutant Mike Haworth prevented the hosts from getting the ten runs needed as new skipper Andy Worth and his Sparsholt team opened their season against last season’s Division 1 side. Ex Compton and Chandlers Ford’s Haworth, and West Australian Jayden Derosa were both in action for the first time as the weather had prevented any earlier games. 

The hosts won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Sparsholt to bat on a slow wicket, softened by heavy rain earlier in the week. Derosa was soon back in the pavilion as one kept low on him, leaving Ed Jenner and Jon Sankey to slowly repair the early damage. Sankey edged into double figures before falling with the score at 43. Stuart Tognarelli added some impetus with a rapid 28, including three sixes, before he holed out off Matt Digweed (3 for 36). Tim Vokes went cheaply before Haworth (above) compiled a superb half century, holding the middle order together despite a steady fall of wickets. Jenner’s patient innings ended on 53 but Steve Wright’s 27 helped to edge the total up to a respectable 209 before he was run out. Chris Jolley and Jack Cockram also took two wickets for Hartley Wintney.

After tea, the host’s openers raced to 47 off seven overs before Jon Vokes broke through. Steve Wright (below), Haworth and Derosa slowed the rate a little, but at 161 for three (Jack Hersh 31, Danny Plume 34) a home victory looked likely with plenty of overs left. Tim Vokes removed Digweed, and man of the match Haworth (2 for 25) took two wickets in consecutive balls to again give Sparsholt hope, but with only 15 needed off three overs with 4 wickets in hand, the hosts still looked favourites. Haworth bowled a great over conceding just two, and including a run out, and Tim Vokes (2 for 19) started the penultimate over with the vital wicket of Danny Flanders (53). That set the scene for a nerve racking last over in which Haworth rose to the task required.

Delighted skipper Andy Worth commented “We definitely had the worst of the (batting) conditions and we worked hard to post a competitive total. At times, they looked well in control but our spirit and commitment kept us in the game, great bowling spells by Haworth, Derosa and Tim Vokes turned the game in our favour”. On Saturday, Sparsholt visit OTs and Romsey, last year honours were shared between these clubs, each recording an away victory.