MORE WOE FOR SPARSHOLT

SPARSHOLT 146 all out lost to HAMBLEDON 147 for 5 by 5 wickets 

https://youtu.be/WDZIT0JlIjY

CALA HOMES sponsored Sparsholt’s indifferent league form continued as a fourth defeat in five games saw them slide back into the bottom half of the league division two table. Batting first at Hambledon, Sparsholt lost opener Mike Haworth in the first over, and wickets continued to fall as they slumped to 71 for 7, only Dave Banks (25, before being run out by a brilliant piece of fielding by George Marshall) and Richard Kenway (16) of the top order reaching double figures. Ed Jenner (46) and Nick Doubell (18) dug in and added 61, before the innings subsided to 146 all out in the 42nd over - Rhidian Chapman (4 for 25) was Hambledon’s most successful bowler. When Hambledon replied, Haworth removed the dangerous George Marshall, but ‘Shane’ Nkomo (66) was in great form and took the score to 98 with Spencer le Clercq (18), and it looked as though the hosts would cruise to victory. At drinks, skipper Andy Worth asked for more effort from his team, and they responded, Jeremy Frith (2 for 22) and Nick Doubell (2 for 43) completing good spells. Suddenly the Hambledon batsman got nervous, and Lewis Le Clerk survived a sharp slip chance before making 21 and taking his side to victory inside 40 overs. A disappointed Worth said ‘another 20 runs in the eight overs we had left would have made the game very interesting indeed’. Next week Sparsholt host league leaders Trojans at Locks Lane, and with several missing due to wedding and holiday commitments, Worth expects another tough test for his team’.

SUCCESS FOR SECONDS AND THIRDS

TON FOR SIMON HERRIDGE

Old Alresford 184 All Out, Sparsholt 2nd X1 185 for 6.

Old Alresford, having been asked to bat first found runs hard to come by against the young  opening bowling duo of Nayan Phagami and Tom Proctor albeit without losing any wickets.

The introduction of spinners Mungo Patterson and David Waters had immediate effect with 3 quick wickets. However excellent batting from captain Ben Stanbrook (76) and M Armitage (34) took the initiative away from the home team before Tom Proctor returned to take 6 wickets for just 5 runs (6 for 18 overall) in a devastating 3.2 over spell to dismiss Old Alresford for a total of 184 in the 45th over.

In reply opener David Waters (now based in Kenya, but on his annual holiday home to visit his parents) used all his experience to hit a classy 81 supported by Chris Mitchell, Nayan Phagami and Craig Charlesworth to take Sparsholt in sight of victory, but it was left to Greg Whiting, (21, including one huge 6) and man of the match Tom Proctor (16) to see them home with a couple of overs to spare to secure a maximum 24 points for the second week in succession.

Losing the toss and being put into bat Sparsholt 3rds amassed a total of 215 on a bouncy track with, hurrah, a short outfield. Simon Herridge took on the bowling with some aggressive, 'Carribean' batting offering several sharp chances on his way to a century. At the other end John Ryan supported ably with a steady fifty as he chivvied and encouraged Herridge to keep going. 

As wickets started to fall quickly towards the end of the innings, Sparsholt's batsmen had to pad up in a typical atmosphere of panic. David Bannister, trying to get onto the pitch in haste, lost his footing, shrieked, then piled down the dressing room steps to 'face plant' at the bottom.  Fortunately he was wearing his helmet, was not hurt, and the incident has not appeared on YouTube - yet.

Will Putt and Matt West opened the Sparsholt bowling both of them towering above 6ft and intimidating the Ampfield batsmen with their size alone. A nice off cutter from Putt removed Dawson bringing Sorrell to the wicket. At 70-1 with Sorrell and Stokes going well, Ampfield were up with the asking rate. The introduction of Bannister and Trivett however - Sparsholt's purveyors of flight and guile - started a steady procession of departing Ampfield batsmen. Putt finished with 2 for 24, Trivett 3 for 36 and Bannister 4 for 39 as Ampfield were dismissed for 166 and Sparsholt held nearly all their catches including blinders from John Ryan and Zach Kinnaird.  With no under 18s in the side this week the White Horse on the square leg boundary did a roaring trade after the match and there may have been some 'sluggish deployments'  by the 3rds on Sunday morning.