Havant v Hampshire Academy

Hampshire Academy achieved a new benchmark in their short history by outplaying and out-thinking their opponents, the reigning Southern League champions Havant, in their own back-yard, causing Team Manager Tony Middleton to enthuse over their "best win of the season" so far.

Captain Alex Morris lost what appeared to be a vital toss and the young Hawks were inserted on a damp pitch resembling rolled Plasicine. However, the expected lavish movement was not forthcoming for the Havant seam bowlers and openers Alex Richardson (19) and Peter Hammond (31 in 83 balls, 1 six, 2 fours) did very well to establish a solid platform of 52 for the first wicket. Hammond, badly dropped behind the wicket on 17, produced arguably the best shot of the day: a huge six over mid-wicket off the bowling of Mackie Hobson (2-30), Havant's best bowler on the day. Kevin Latouf (27) and Tom Burrows carried on the good work either side of lunch, putting on 72 invaluable runs after the Academy had faltered at 55-3. Burrows (69 balls, 5 fours) in particular showed the great ability to think on his feet; working out the areas in which to score runs on this type of turning pitch (square and behind the wicket), once the Havant spinners had been belatedly introduced into the attack. This was an attribute distinctly lacking in the home batting. A perfectly-judged cameo of 35 in 28 balls (2 sixes, 3 fours) by David Griffiths at the death of the innings gave the Academy further impetus, and probably turned the game - 39 runs coming in the last 3 overs. Most to suffer was the left arm spin of Phil Loat (3-70) as he disappeared for 27 in his last two overs. The Academy's batsmen had succeeded in setting a very competitive target without the aid of Professional asistance in perhaps the most difficult conditions of the season so far.

Evidence of just how much the pitch was assisting the spinners was shown when off spinner Mitchell Stokes (18-7-36-3) opened the bowling with Griffiths. Although the former kept it tight, the latter seemed out of sorts with the ball: former Hampshire Under 19 captain Steve Snell being quick to punish anything short of a length or over-pitched. The introduction of Charlie van der Gucht brought immediate success as Havant stuttered to 53-2, but the tea break saw the home side well placed at 82-2 with Snell still batting very well. However, the introduction of leg spinner Ian Hilsum (2-26) after tea caused Snell (58 in 59 balls, 10 fours) to lose his concentration and he became the first of five Havant batsmen in their top seven to be dismissed driving. 87-2 rapidly became 114-6, but despite a battling stand of 30 for the 7th wicket between captain Paul Gover and Bev Moynan, no other Havant batsman could manage to break into the twenties. Van der Gucht (4-41) bowled with more rhythm in his second spell and polished off the tail as the last four wickets fell for 8 runs in 36 balls, leaving the Academy meritorious victors by 70 runs and with 50 minutes to spare.