An unbeaten 57 off of just 32 balls by David Banks proved decisive as Sparsholt’s first team chalked up a third consecutive win as they enjoyed the better end of a keenly contested tie at the Norman Edwards Ground against a strong OT's and Romsey side. Both teams will have felt themselves in pole position at different points in the game however neither side was willing to give in with Sparsholt taking it down to the wire and finally coming up trumps.

OT's and Romsey were probably aiming for a total higher than their 222 for 9 when nicely poised at 136 for 1 with Wood and King progressing nicely after Tom Foster had made the initial breakthrough. Wood in particular played strong shots up and down the ground, manufacturing boundaries and putting the Sparsholt attack under pressure whenever the opportunity arose. However, when Wood was taken sharply by Tognarelli at short extra cover off the bowling of skipper Jeremy Frith. OT's and Romsey's innings lost it's momentum. Frith picked up a series of wickets in quick succession, his 5 for 43 from 10 overs playing a large part in OT’s and Romsey not getting near the score of 250 plus that they would most likely have hoped for at the half way point. Haworth, Banks and Foster also gave little away on a flat wicket that offered little to the bowlers whilst late contributions from Joseph Vaughan and Keith Trodd prevented Romsey from slipping to something less.

In reply, Sparsholt's innings got off to a faltering start with Norris and Frith both out early. However, Mike Haworth and Jake Dunford constructed a solid partnership of 88 to get Sparsholt moving. The OT's and Romsey bowling gave little away however with 120 needed from the final 20 overs with 8 wickets in hand; Sparsholt were still firm favourites. However a series of key overs from Wood, bowling left-arm spin, and Sparsholt being unable to find the boundary or sufficient singles saw the rate rise sharply, with the pressure increasing, wickets fell and the visiting side were back in the match with Sparsholt needing 9 runs per over going in to the final 10 overs. 

Sam Kennett got the board moving with a brisk 37 that included some lusty blows and when joined by Banks; the match began turning back in Sparsholt's favour with key boundaries, and runs scored off of most deliveries. At the start of the 47th over Sparsholt still required 36; however, at the end of that over, just 14 more runs were required as Banks despatched boundaries combining timing and strength with deftness and precision. With the game firmly back in Sparsholt's hands Banks was never going to let it go. Supported by a crucial 8 not out by Tom Foster in a partnership of 39, he saw Sparsholt over the line with a massive six over straight mid wicket to seal a 4 wicket Sparsholt victory with 3 balls remaining and 21 points in the bank.

Jeremy Frith added; "We can take a lot of belief from the manner in which we won at the end, although there is plenty for us to learn from the game as well. Today was a good marker for us as to show how far we've come but also to target some areas to improve on too."

Sparsholt’s second team travelled to Basingstoke IV on Saturday , returning skipper Adam Gough won the toss and elected to field. Will Putt made a breakthrough in his first over with the opener well caught at slip by veteran Jon Sankey. Richards and Price then put on a stand of 144 for the second wicket before Andy Pryce trapped Richards LBW for 51 in the 29th over. Jon Sankey then ripped through the middle order taking 3 for 45 from his 10 over spell including a fine caught and bowled. Price continued to score freely until he was caught by John Ryan off of the bowling of Nayan Phagami for 99. Wickets continued to fall with Will Putt and Nayan Phagami both taking a brace and Greg Whiting excelled in the field with a great catch in the deep and a run out as Basingstoke finished on 238 for 9 from their 45 overs.

The Sparsholt reply started badly with the loss of John Ryan in the first over, with the wickets of Phagami, Steggall, Worth and Whiting following quickly, Sparsholt were left on 45 for 5 from just 13 overs. Tom Procter then joined Sankey and set about repairing the damage putting on 42 before Sankey was caught for a well made 32. Andy Pryce quickly followed for 4. Adam Gough and Tom Procter took the attack back to the bowlers with Procter showing his trade mark shots off of his legs to accumulate several boundaries. Gough was next to go run out for 19 with the score on 139. Procter continued to farm the strike and took Sparsholt to 166 as Putt and then Mark Stone were both bowled at the other end. Procter finished with an outstanding 70 not out as Sparsholt fell 72 runs short of their target.

After last weeks win against Holybourne, Sparsholt’s third team were hoping for a similar outcome this week when they hosted Herriard CC at North Walls. Sparsholt’s team was much changed to the previous week and with a bowling heavy line up and a low and slow wicket it was on new captain for the season; Adam Trivett, to win the toss and take to the field. Unfortunately, the toss was lost and Sparsholt were put into bat.

Jon Druce and George Ellis opened the attack and the wicket of Ellis fell in the fifth over. In stepped third team debutant Thomas Ley; who took to the game quickly and played some beautiful shots. However, the wickets of both Druce and Ley fell quite promptly. Will Selley, Jack Tucker and Tom Wilkinson also made small contributions but by the 20 over mark Sparsholt were 43-6. Stuart Barlow and Adam Trivett could only muster a couple of runs before Barlow missed a straight one and his wicket fell.

Sparsholt had little left in the tank in terms of turning the game around. Club Secretary, Tony Edwards; had donned his whites for the first time in two years, scored a few runs and got out trying to hit one over the ever increasing Herriard ring of fielders in an effort to reach the boundary, which seemed to be unreachable on the uneven North Walls outfield.

At 59-9, all Sparsholt’s hopes were on Emily Dodd batting herself in and supporting Trivett (11*) to try and get to a defendable total. Unfortunately, the task was insurmountable and Dodd’s wicket fell in the 26th over leaving the visitors, who had bowled extremely well (only giving away 6 extras) with a total of 64 to chase. D Brown being their pick of the bowling with 4 wickets.

As the first innings had ended so abruptly, both captains and umpires agreed to start the second innings immediately for 10 overs and then break for tea.

With some decisive fielding in place’ Sparsholt’s opening bowling attack came from Emily Dodd, and Elliott Colyer, who was hoping to do more with the ball than he could achieve with the bat; and both bowled seriously well for players so young; at the 5 over mark Herriard were 7 for no wicket with Braithwait and Brown batting themselves in and taking no real chances.

By tea, Herriard had only put on a further 5 runs. Stopping at 12 without loss. Upon return, a change in the bowling line up as Captain Trivett came into bowl. The break didn't seem to phase the Herriard batsman as Braithwait played slow and steady in support of brown who began hitting a number of shots with precision.

By the 15th over, Herriard were just over halfway to their target and a second change of bowling, with the debuting Jack Tucker bowling. All of the more junior players that bowled were extremely tidy and very rarely did the ball go astray in terms of where they were aiming. These 3 are definitely ones to watch over the rest of the season. But Sparsholt couldn't break the grip that Herriard had on the game, they needed a wicket and soon. Trivett was becoming anxious as the visitors runs got closer to their target; but after a calming word from Edwards that wicket fell in the 22nd over as Braithwait headed back to the pavilion scoring 9 from 85 balls after being dismissed LBW.

New batsman Buridge, worked with Brown to get to their required total in the 28th over; with Brown sacrificing a half century performance for the sake of the team – telling his partner to hit the winning runs. This was before Thomas Ley was given the nod to bowl. Like Colyer and Tucker before him, he impressed with his delivery and placement and was unlucky not to claim a wicket.

Next week, Sparsholt's first team travel to Hambledon; while both the second and third teams have home fixtures against Liphook & Ripsley 2 and St Mary’s respectively. Sparsholt then travel to Liphook & Rispley to do battle on the Sunday in the Hampshire group final of the National Village Knockout competition.

Sparsholt are still looking for players and volunteers to join their growing club. Should you want more information please go to www.sparsholtcc.co.uk for more information – or email info@sparsholtcc.co.uk