Sparsholt 1s hosted Portsmouth whom had travelled up the M27 to Locks Lane as the halfway point of the season quickly approaches. Having won the toss, the visitors elected to bat. Although opening bowlers Haworth and Perrin managed to stay on top of the Portsmouth duo in the opening exchanges, they soon began to find the boundary. Spin then entered the attack to try and regain control, but some counterattacking batting and strike rotation halted the charge of the Sparsholt spinners, however this was not without chances with Duggan being dropped on just 26. Banks finally took the first wicket of the day bowling Wallis for 29. Fraser Hay joined Duggan at the crease for a short stay of 19, which should have been even shorter having also been dropped before he was dismissed by an excellent caught and bowled by Frith with the score 108-2. This began a dominant period for the home side, with excellent fielding and tight bowling allowing the remaining 8 wickets to fall for just 77. Frith 3 wickets, Haworth and Banks 2 wickets, Doran, Perrin and Phagami 1 wicket each.

The reply did not start well with Haworth falling with the score on just 4. Norris joined Frith for a crucial 45 run stand which took the sting out of the Portsmouth attack and set the foundation for the middle order to dominate. Norris and then Perrin fell in relatively quick succession, but Banks joined to steady the ship. Frith then departed for a battling 39 from 80 balls. This brought Tim Vokes to the crease for what would be the defining partnership. The pair put on 49 in quick time, finding the boundary regularly to ease towards the target. Banks was bowled just after making 50 but the after some more counterattacking play from Vokes the job was done. He unfortunately couldn’t see it home being caught for 45 which left Doran and O’Brien to close out a comprehensive victory chasing the target 6 down with 4 overs remaining. 

Sparsholt 2s travelled to Hungerford in a high scoring but losing effort, unfortunately at time of print no report was available. 

Sparsholt 3’s returned to North Walls to play Aldershot 5 after last week’s important win against Crown Taverners. Sparsholt lost the toss and were put into the field. 

Dorward and Ley opened the bowling looking to accumulate lots of early pressure. Although the first wicket didn’t come until the 9th over, good tight bowling from the openers led to Aldershot being 15-1 after 10 overs. After 5 overs each from the openers Dorward (5-3-7-1) and Ley. Trivett and Sams came onto bowl both picking up a wicket in their second over. Wickets continued to fall as Aldershot struggled for runs. Sams finished spell with (6-0-16-2) and was replaced by Tee whilst Trivett (8-1-18-3) bowled his overs out at the end of his spell leaving Aldershot on 52-7. Luke replaced Trivett and by some good aggressive batting from Butt (27*) started to get Aldershot with more of target to set Sparsholt to chase down. Tee (6-3-8-2) was replaced by ley (6-1-12-1) as we looked to get the final wicket. In which he did so bowling Aldershot out for 86 just before Dorward was about to return at the other end after a good spell from Luke (5-0-21-0). 

Sparsholt came out to bat knowing 87 was what was needed to win and to do it with as few wickets down as possible to get the most points on offer. With the score on 24 in the 8th over Ellis was bowled for 10 resulting in Harrington coming to the crease to join Berrill. This was a good partnership with Berrill rotating the strike and Harrington playing aggressively. Berrill was bowled for 23 with only 6 left to win. Trivett came to the crease with 2 balls left in the over knowing Harrington was on 45 and only 6 runs on offer. In his first ball Trivett played a drive through mid-off for Four leaving just 2 to win. Talking before the ball Trivett informed Harrington he was on 45 and explained he would block the ball out and informed he would need to hit a 6 to get his fifty. Trivett blocked out the ball successfully. Therefore, it was then over to Harrington who blocked the first ball of the over and on the second made his charge. Harrington moved down the wicket and hit the ball high and long over the bowler’s head. The ball just falling short and going for 4 resulting in Sparsholt winning the game by 8 wickets and Harrington finishing on 44 not out, a very good knock!

Sparsholt host Ventnor next weekend to close out the first half of the season. While the second and third teams travel to Overton and Ashford Hill 2 respectively.