SPCL 2/3 - van der Gucht in likely return

Hampshire left-arm spinner Charlie van der Gucht is set to play his first match in 13 months tomorrow (SAT), after suffering career-threatening injuries in a road traffic accident in west London last July.

He has earmarked the Hampshire Academy's Southern Electric Premier League match against Old Tauntonians & Romsey at the Romsey Sports Centre, 1pm for his comeback.

The 22-year old was left fighting for his life after being run over by a taxi last summer.

He suffered two badly broken legs and developed two blood clots on his lungs. But has courageously fought his way back, completing his History degree at Durham University at the same time as working long hours in the gym and gradually attaining near match fitness.

"Sine he came back from university, Charlie's been doing a lot of bowling in the nets and is now working on his mobility in the field," said Hampshire 2nd XI coach Tony Middleton.

"It's been a hard graft for him, but it's been a real inspiration for the other lads to watch him come back from such horrific injuries and now be on the verge of playing again.

"He badly wants to play tomorrow and everyone will be willing him on."

The table-topping Academy field a powerful side against OT's, who are without all-rounder Ian Tulk.

Second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy expect to find themselves up against a strengthened Winchester KS side at Cockets Mead.

Sussex pace bowler Billy Taylor has been pencilled in for Winchester as the Sharks do not play again until Tuesday's Norwich Union League game under the Hove floodlights.

It's a huge day for the three clubs battling to avoid relegation, none more so than Rowledge, who visit third-placed Lymington tomorrow and then play Shipton-under-Wychwood in the National Village Championship semi-finals on Sunday.

Rowledge boosted their prospects of avoiding the drop last weekend, when an undefeated Chris Yates century set up an eight-wicket win and nailed Trojans firmly to the bottom.

"Lymington and Easton, our next two opponents, will be very difficult indeed," says vice-chairman Chris Yates senior.

"And it could come down to our final match with Hungerford, which happens to be the day before the Lord's village final."

Rowledge send a full-strength team to Lymington, but go into Sunday's village tie minus Australian all-rounder Jeff Anning and 21-year old all-rounder Yates.

Hungerford, in deep trouble following last week's ten-wicket hiding by the Academy, entertain Sparsholt, while Trojans must beat US Portsmouth if they are to stand any slender chance of avoiding the drop.

St Cross Symondians welcome back youngsters Ben Adams and Marc Rees against Ventnor at the Royal Green Jackets Ground.

Pace bowler Brian Lipscombe has returned from his Australasia trip, but plays in the 2nd XI to get match fit.

St Cross have some catching up to do on leaders Purbrook, who will have won hand on the title if they beat New Milton at The Heath.

It's "last chance saloon" day for New Milton, whose eight-run defeat by Leckford last week cost vital ground in the promotion stakes.

Third-placed Hursley Park visit Leckford, with ever-improving Havant II favourites to beat Hambledon, even though discarded Hampshire opener Derek Kenway will probably be in the Dons line up.

Gosport Borough haven't altogether given up hope of squeezing into the promotion frame and inflicting a fifth successive defeat on Alton will enhance their outside chances.