SPARSHOLT 128 for 9 lost to PAULTONS 132 for 9 by 2 wickets.

 

CALA Homes sponsored Sparsholt continued their topsy-turvy season coming off second best in a nail-biting finish at Paultons on Saturday. No one following the progress of the 'Trees' this season would be surprised that the perhaps unexpected victory against table toppers Trojans with a much depleted side was followed by a narrow defeat at the hands of bottom club Paultons. Skipper Andy Worth won the toss on a pitch with the unusual combination of dust concealed by a greenish top. Paultons opening bowlers did not bowl like a side bottom of the pile, Jack Murrell removing the top three Sparsholt men in an excellent ten over spell taking 3 for 17, Richard Kenway and Jeremy Frith both getting into double figures before perhaps unluckily both dragging on a ball from outside off-stump. Murrell had outstanding support bowling from Rob Pike (2 for 27) and home skipper Tony Richman (2 for 14 from 10 overs), and Dave Banks (23) and Kyle Ruffell (19) batted cautiously to try and build a total, but wickets continued to fall and with no one else reaching double figures Sparsholt struggled to teach 100. Final pair, teenager Nick Doubell (19 not out) and 'keeper Adam Gough , on a rare visit to the crease, eased the total to 128 as the innings closed, Gough smashing the last ball to the boundary which gave Sparsholt a bonus point, and also denied Paultons one - something which could prove crucial at the end of the season. Batting was no easier when Paultons replied, Banks removing Feltham in the second over. Lee Wateridge (32) and Scott Hills (23) took the score to 60, Hills in particular benefiting from dropped sip catches and numerous false shots - Banks being particularly unlucky in his best bowling spell since joining Sparsholt. The bowlers however persevered and when Nick Doubell (3 for 36) removed Hills, he and Jeremy Frith (3 for 21) made inroads as nervous batsmen seemed to commit suicide. Twelve runs were still needed when the eighth wicket fell, but it was to be Murrell's day as his nervy drive just skimmed Frith's fingers taking Paultons to a much needed win. On Saturday Sparsholt entertain Bashley, hoping to repeat the batting effort that topped 300 earlier in the season. On Sunday, Sparsholt entertain Premier Division club New Milton in the semi-final of the T20 plate competition - a final tie against Gosport or Langley Manor at the Ageas Bowl awaits the winners.

 

ROWE STARS AS JUNIORS REACH UNDER 17 FINAL

 

SPARSHOLT U17 47 for 4 beat PETERSFIELD 46 all out by 6 wickets.
 

Will Rowe led the way with the ball as Sparsholt under 17 team won their semi final match against Petersfield. Rowe took an astonishing 7 wickets for just 8 runs in 17 balls as Petersfield collapsed to 46 all out in the eleventh over. Nayan Phagami, Tom Foster and Jesse Ribiero each took a wicket providing the seam bowling of Rowe with good support. First team all rounder Nick Doubell (17) led the way when Sparsholt batted, he And Nick White added 24, before Adam Trivett, Archie Hillier and James Lander took Sparsholt to victory in 14 overs. The final is on 26th August at Basingstoke, starting at 1pm.