14 year old Nayan Phagami (pictured) scored a magnificent unbeaten century to take Sparsholt third team to victory at Shrewton.

Sparsholt stand-in skipper Bob Selley lost the toss, and Sparsholt were asked to bowl first. Phagami took the first wicket, putting the score at 32-1. With the first ball after drinks, James Dorward took a catch on the boundary off of Adam Trivett’s full toss. Dorward managed 4 wickets (three bowled and one lbw) and Tom Proctor eventually got the opening batsman Gillot out for 61 as Shrewton finished their innings 176-8. Tom Proctor (3) was the first to fall for Sparsholt, caught at square leg. Martin Patterson then fell for 15, leaving the score at 53-2 off 22 overs. Mungo Patterson and Nayan upped the run rate, scoring 76 in 10 overs. Phagami reached his maiden 50 before racing on to his first century (102 not out). Patterson provided excellent support making 28 not out as Sparsholt reached 176-2 with 5 overs left.

Due to the recent period of rain scoring was difficult as Sparsholt’s first team slumped to a 69 run defeat to Calmore Sport in their third league game of the season.

Sparsholt, sponsored by Cala Homes, put the visitors into bat, and they made their way to 40 without loss. Sparsholt got the breakthrough as Steve Wright (pictured) who took three wickets for just 1 run. Dave Gough took a further 2 wickets, with Jon Vokes also adding one more and Mike Doubell finished with figures of 1-12 from his 10 overs. Mike Haworth took the final two wickets including the removal of Calmore’s Tom Pegler who hit a well-worked 38.

Sparsholt had to chase a total of 140, but lost opener Ed Jenner and his replacement Mike Haworth for 1 each. Stuart Tognarelli fell for 0, leaving the hosts on 4-3. Alex Dilley hit a big six but fell on the next ball. Opener Jayden Derosa managed 8, whilst Andy Worth was superbly caught for 3. Tim Vokes added 4, before Dave Gough and Steve Wright steadied the ship. Gough fell for 11, leaving the hosts on 43-8. Wright and Jon Vokes put together a 28 run partnership before Vokes was caught for 18. Wright (14) soon followed suit, with the hosts ending on 71 all out.

Sparsholt seconds, led by the rejuvenated Jon Sankey recorded their second win to sit with the teams at the top of the table after a rain affected first month of the season. Sankey asked the hosts to bat, and the evergreen Andy Pryce (5 for 11 off 10 overs) found conditions to his liking, removing the first five Andover batsmen. Pryce was well supported by the luckless Greg Whiting who bowled seven overs for just five runs. At 31 for 5 Andover looked to be in desperate trouble, but McMahon (57) and Clarke (23) added 61 before wickets again fell steadily to Haida (3 for 19) and Sankey (2 for 20). Sparsholt lost Dan Pickering (14) early, but then Oscar Birnie (38) and David Coulthard (28) added 70 to leave Sparsholt well placed at 89 for 2. Though three more wickets fell, Sparsholt cruised to victory by five wickets with nearly 12 overs to spare.

On Sunday, Sparsholt travelled to the Isle of Wight to play Premier Division Ventnor in the first round of the ECB Southern League T20 competion. Jon Sankey continued his good form with the bat, hitting three maximums in his 46, supported by Jayden Derosa (20) and Dave Gough (19). Sparsholt’s 114 for 8 did not look enough against tight bowling from the islanders, and so it proved as Ventnor coasted to victory by nine wickets with plenty of overs to spare. Jon Vokes took the only wicket for Sparsholt as they were forced to play with only ten men as a registration issue prevented 14 year old Nick Doubell from taking part in the game.

Results roundup:

Sparsholt 71 all out lost to Calmore Sports 140 all out by 69 runs.

Sparsholt II 117 for 5 beat Andover III 116 all out by five wickets

Sparsholt III 177 for 2 beat Shrewton III 176 for 8 by eight wickets

Sunday (T20 competition) Sparsholt 114 for 8 lost to ventnor 115 for 1 by nine wickets.