SPARSHOLT RUN LEADERS CLOSE
Posted by Nobody on 10 June 2016
SPARSHOLT RUN LEADERS CLOSE
TREES FELLED BY TROJANS
Sparsholt 257 for 9 lost to Trojans 263 for 8 by 6 runs.
Sparsholt visited top of the table Trojans on Saturday, and just failed in their efforts to chase 264 required for victory.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, and home skipper Ed Boyd continued his fine form with an opening partnership of 104 with Abdul Manjra (44). Opening bowlers Mike Haworth and Kyle Ruffle looked out of sorts, and the batsmen were not separated until Jeremy Frith (3 for 32) had Manjra caught by skipper Andy Worth. After this Boyd lost partners at regular intervals, until Jamie Donaldson (27) joined him. Dave Gough (3 for 60), Nick Doubell and Ruffell took wickets, but Boyd batted until the innings closed, ending undefeated with an excellent 114 to his name. After tea, Stuart Tognarelli (51) and Richard Kenway (30) added 76 to get the visitor’s chase off to a good start, but four quick wickets fell, including the in form Dave Banks, leaving the visitors at 117 for 4 midway through the innings. Dave Gough (25) and Jeremy Frith (48) added 51, but Gough was dismissed just as it seemed the match was tilting in Sparsholt’s favour. Ruffell (19) then joined Frith to take the score above 200, but again wickets fell at key times as the required run rate increased. Manjra, in his first game of the season, and ironically an ex Sparsholt player himself, took 4 for 36 to complete a fine match personally, as from his last over 13 were needed. Tom Foster, Andy Worth and Nick Doubell all reached double figures, but no one could produce the big over that Sparsholt needed as they fell 6 runs short at the close. Trojans therefore consolidate their position at the top of the table while Sparsholt sit mid table with two wins from four games played. On Saturday, Sparsholt entertain Paultons hoping to repeat their success when the two teams meet in the NVKO earlier in the season.
