Calmore Sports v Hampshire Academy Match Report
Hampshire Academy lost their inaugural match in the Southern League Premier Division thanks to an ill-timed rain break and a fine all-round performance from Jimmy Hibberd with good support from another former Hampshire Under 19 all-rounder Paul Cass
Kevin Baker
07-Jun-2003
Calmore Sports v Hampshire Academy
Hampshire Academy lost their inaugural match in the Southern League Premier Division thanks to an ill-timed rain break and a fine all-round performance from Jimmy Hibberd with good support from another former Hampshire Under 19 all-rounder Paul Cass.
Acting Captain Tony Middleton won the toss and batted, but the rains came with Hampshire going nicely on 56-2 off 11.1 overs.
21 runs then came off the next 11 balls after the resumption, but thereafter the Hampshire batsmen struggled to break free from the shackles imposed by Cass (4-40), supported by Kent 2nd XI trialist Hibberd (3-36), who had earlier removed both openers. Only Peter Hammond (50 in 113 balls) stood firm, supported by Alex Richardson (32) and David Griffiths (29 not out).
A total of 191 to win in 50 overs may well have tested Calmore but their rain-reduced target of 103 in 27 overs was a much more managable proposition. With such a small total required, one sharp innings was all that was required, and this was supplied by man of the match Hibberd, who's 53 came in only 49 balls, with 7 fours, after David Griffiths had removed both openers as the score reached 16.