2nd XI reach ECB Trophy Final after defeating Sussex

Hampshire Second XI reached the final of the ECB Second XI Trophy for the fourth time in five seasons when they defeated neigbours Sussex 2nd XI by 41 runs at The Rose Bowl today (Monday).

Skipper Will Kendall chose to bat first on a hot day after winning the toss, and despite losing his own wicket early, saw his side get off to a flying start. James Hamblin (56), Greg Lamb (53) and Lawrence Prittipaul (37) brought them to 153 for 3, but the home side could not sustain this rate as wickets fell at regular stages when stability was needed. Just 72 more runs were scored for the loss of 7 wickets, with Michael Yardy Sussex's left arm seamer being the pick of the visiting bowlers with four wickets.

Both Sussex openers Neil Turk and Chris Mole were out cheaply and it took two experienced heads to steady the innings. Carl Hopkinson and Bas Zuiderent saw them safely to 97, and seriously in with a chance of victory, but, as with Hampshire wickets fell steadily, losing their 7 wickets for just 53 runs to give Hampshire the comfortable winning margin of 41 runs.

Lawrence Prittipaul and Greg Lamb took three wickets a piece, but a great feature of the performance was the fielding of this young side. "This has been a feature of the whole run in this competition," said veteran scorer Tony Weld.

Hampshire 2nd XI will meet Warwickshire 2nd XI in the Final on September 8th at The Rose Bowl.