SPARSHOLT SLIDE

INCONSISTENT BOWLING LEADS TO THIRD DEFEAT

Sparsholt 158 all out lost to Hartley Wintney by 92 runs.

https://youtu.be/b6kcKt0wmwQ

After last week’s washout, CALA Homes sponsored Sparsholt entertained Hartley Wintney, relegated from Division 1 last season, in one of the few completed league games as heavy showers again hit Hampshire on Saturday. Andy Worth’s men were hoping to make up ground on runaway leaders Trojans against a side which seemed to be in some disarray during the earlier weeks of the season, but any hopes of an easy win were soon dispelled as openers Patrick Joseph and Tommy Garwood added 79 for the first wicket against bowlers who found it hard to find the right line and length. Dave Banks took a very sharp return catch to dismiss Garwood for 39, and went on to complete a tidy spell of 1 for 29 in his ten overs. Sparsholt’s twin spinners of teenager Nick Doubell (2 for 51) and the usually dependable Jeremy Frith also struggled and Joseph reached 86 before Doubell eventually removed him. Further contributions from Scott Baldwin (31), Chris Saville (28 not out) and Louis Lynch (22) pushed the visitors score to 250 for 8 when the innings closed. On a track slowed by the wet weather of the previous fortnight this was always going to be a tough target, and things got more difficult as Banks and Frith went early. Stuart Tognarelli battled his way to 50, but when he was fifth out with the score at 84, the writing was on the wall for Sparsholt. Dave Gough (37) offered resistance, but when he was dismissed trying his favourite scoop, Sparsholts innings quickly subsided to 158 all out and a heavy defeat. With their points average decreasing, Sparsholt slip back down to fourth place in the league table as the season reaches its halfway point. On Saturday, Sparsholt visit local rivals Tichborne Park, and will be hoping to avenge their defeat in the opening game of the season.

SPARSHOLT II 143 all out lost to ALTON III 144 for 6 by four wickets.

Andy Pryce’s 2nd team slipped to defeat in a tight game when they visited Alton 3rd team. Asked to bat first on a slow wicket after the recent rains, Sparsholt batsmen, with the exception of Chris Mitchell (43) and Greg Whiting (32), found it difficult to score and Sparsholt closed on 143 after 44 overs.

Good bowling spells from youngsters Whiting, Mungo Patterson and Jesse Ribeiro, on his 2nd team debut, reduced Alton to 56 for 5 in the 16th over and there was real hope of a win, but Steve Moody (58 not out) steerd Alton to victory with 2 overs to spare despite a tight spell from Will Rowe.

VICTORY IN T20

Sunday saw Sparsholt’s fortunes reversed as they entertained Division 1 outfit Rowledge in the Lock Lane sunshine in the Southern League T20 plate competition. Stuart Tognarelli (35) continued his good form with the bat, and support from Chris Mitchell (20), Jeremy Frith (28) and Dave Banks (19) saw Sparsholy post 139 for 7 against a young Rowledge side led by veteran David Lloyd. Rowledge’s batsman were never up with the required rate – Joe Randle (23) top scored, with Sam Moseley, George Keeley, Sam Marshall and Lloyd all reaching double figures, but with Banks (2 for 5) and Frith (2 for 23) leading the bowlers, the visitors could only muster 102 for 7 in their reply.