Despite a number of enforced changes from both sides, Sparsholt continued their push for promotion with a comprehensive nine wicket victory over Totton and Eling II.  Jayden Derosa took 4-32 as the hosts bowled Totton out for 177, whilst Ed Jenner made 92 not out and Lewis Dunford made 57 not out to enable Sparsholt to take their fifth win in a row.

The hosts, sponsored by Cala Homes, made several changes to the first team, with Alex Thornton, Greg Whiting, Simon Straker and wicketkeeper Richard Vaughn all making their first appearances for the team this season. After winning the toss, Sparsholt elected to field first, however they were unable to find an early breakthrough. Opening batsman Azim Hamid settled in comfortably as the visitors made it to 66 without loss. Sparsholt skipper Andy Worth made up for a dropped catch in the previous over as he caught Hamid for 48 from Jon Sankey’s bowling. Derosa had already had two catches dropped off his bowling, but he finally got his first wicket as Ennew skied the ball to Greg Whiting, who took a fine diving catch. Jon Sankey took his second wicket as he bowled Atkins for 4 putting Totton on 90-3. Jayden Derosa took two wickets from two balls, both lbw, to restrict Totton to 113-5. The Aussie took his third successive four wicket haul as he bowled Sam Metcalf for 7. Simon Staker’s economical bowling was rewarded as he took the seventh wicket, Derosa catching Dibben for 22. With his final two balls, Jon Vokes bowled Abbott (9) and Matton (0) to leave Totton at 175-9. Tim Vokes took the final wicket, with Jayden Derosa catching Merritt for 0, to end Totton’s innings at 177.

Jayden Derosa fell for 9 as he was trapped lbw by Azim Hamid. Ed Jenner continued his consistent scoring, but was fortunate to survive as he was dropped on 28 after playing a loose shot straight to a fielder.  Jenner and Lewis Dunford continued to score at a rate of four runs per over, and they took Sparsholt past 50 in 13 overs. Dunford pushed the hosts past 100 with a four in the 25th over. Jenner brought up his second league 50 of the season, his first being at Hartley Wintney in the first match of the season. The opener was then dropped for a second time with the score at 134-1, but Totton were unable to take the difficult catch on the boundary. Lewis Dunford hit the match’s first six before reaching his 50 with a 4, his third half century in a row. Fittingly, it was Jenner who hit the winning runs, with his 13th four taking him to 92 not out and his partnership with Dunford to an unbroken 152.

Next week, Sparsholt travel to sixth placed Paultons as they bid to cement their second place in the table.

Sparsholt 2nd XI 116 lost to Compton and Chandlers Ford 2nd XI 118-5 by 5 wickets

A much-changed Sparsholt 2nds lost for only the second time this season as defeat to Chandlers Ford and Compton dented their promotion hopes. Put in on a crumbling wicket, Sparsholt lost captain George Potter (10) and Tom Procter (6) cheaply, before Craig Charlesworth (28), Tom Wilson (18) and Rob Fox (11) pushed the visitors towards a competitive total. However a flurry of wickets after the drinks break, including five for Jon Gray (5-21), meant Sparsholt finished on a below par 116 all out.

In response, the hosts started cautiously, before Perry (47) and Scanlan (26) upped the rate, pushing their team towards victory. Late wickets for Haida Ali (2-25), Tom Procter (2-30) and Will Rowe (1-17) put the brakes on the Compton chase, before Nanda Basker hit the winning runs, giving his side a crucial 5 wicket victory. Sparsholt, still second in the table, host Amesbury next weekend knowing only victory will keep them in the promotion hunt.