SPARSHOLT MARCH ON

Rain again thwarted any chance of a result in Sparsholt’s home match against Hartley Wintney on Saturday, but the ‘trees’ second and third teams both recorded good wins to stay undefeated and remain second in their respective leagues. Sparsholt two’s travelled to Dinton, who were soon in trouble after being asked to bat on a rain affected wicket. Andy Pryce’s accurate inswing took three quick wickets, and the hosts never recovered. Father and son spin twins Mike and Nick Doubell then took over as Dinton crumbled to 91 all out, Mike Doubell doing most of the damage with an incredible five wickets for five runs spell. On return from Lancaster University, George Potter opened the batting with Tom Foster, and the pair took Sparsholt to within sight of victory before Foster was out for 37. Potter remained 30 not out as Stuart Tognarelli smashed the winning runs to give the visitors a comprehensive maximum points victory.

Things were much closer for the thirds at Michelmersh and Timsbury where rain reduced the match to 32 overs. Martin Patterson (21) got Sparsholt off to a steady start, but with only George Ellis and Greg Whiting of the top order also getting into double figures Sparsholt looked in trouble at 68 for 6 with Boorfield, Tubbs and Clarke taking two wickets each. Jordan Glasspool (43 not out) who missed last season because of a knee injury batted well with support from Stuart Veal to get Sparsholt up to 130 for 8 as their innings closed. At 70 for 2, it looked as though Sparsholt’s unbeten run would be lost, but bowlers Veal, Haslam, Proctor and Glasspool stuck to their tasks and wickets started to fall. Two run outs also sealed Mich and Timm’s fate as they were dismissed for 121 leaving Sparsholt narrow victors by just nine runs.

This weekend will be key to the promotion prospects of both teams: Sparsholt seconds travel to top of the table Liss for a tough match against a side that was on the verge of Southern league cricket just 3 or 4 years ago, and the third team play local rivals St Cross who sit one place below the ‘trees’ in their division.

Meanwhile, back at Lock’s Lane play started and paceman Alex Dilley removed Hartley Wintney opener Jack Hersh’s middle stump in the third over before the first shower interrupted play for an hour. When the players restarted, only seven more overs were possible before further rain caused the game to be abandoned. This week Sparsholt entertain Havant, and will be hoping to record their fourth league win of the season. They will also have another testing game on Monday evening when they travel to Ropley for the semi-final clash in the Tichbourne Trophy. Better weather on Sunday at least enabled Aussie Jayden Derosa to smash an unbeaten 140 as he and Lewis Dunford (who also scored a half century) comfortably reached gallant Bedhampton’s score of 208.

Picture 1 Tom Foster – good form with the bat for Sparsholt

Picture 2 Jayden Derosa – hundred in England for the man from Western Australia