Southern Premier Cricket League report - 2nd July 2000

Burridge, requiring ten runs for victory off the final over against Cove and a boundary from the very last ball, are still searching for their first ECB Southern Premier League win.

Chasing Cove's 195-7, the finished agonisingly close at 194-8 ... and remain fastened to the Division One basement. But with fellow strugglers South Wilts pointless from a nine wicket thrashing by Hungerford, Burridge have closed the gap at the bottom to eight points.

John Francis toasted his return from Durham University with 75, but, along with team-mates Mark Richards (26) and Matt Compton (21), found it difficult to force the tempo.

Ten of the initial 11 overs sent down by Cove off-spinner Joe Ashton (3-65) were maidens.

Ralph Dorey (28) upped the run flow as Burridge, requiring 28 runs from the last three of their 61 overs, were optimistic of victory after scoring seven off the inital three deliveries of Ashton's final over.

But Burridge lost their seventh and eighth wickets off the fourth and fifth balls, leaving Ancell to strike a boundary off the final delivery. He managed a two.

Hampshire prospect James Adams (62) and Under-19 hopeful Martin Docis (30) provided a 91-run platform for Cove, who have managed only one win from eight games.

But a pedestian scoring rate - Docis occupied the crease for 36 overs - led to later batsmen sacrificing their wickets, particularly to the left-arm seam of Compton, who finished with 7-63 from a marathon 29-over spell.

Matt Smith (42) rallied as Cove's 195-9 off 62 overs proved just too many for Burridge.

An unbroken second-wicket stand of 126 between Toby Radford (73) and Nic Hamlin (69) swept Hungerford to victory over struggling South Wilts.

Only Jamie Glasson (44) and tailender Stuart Nash (29) made any impact as left-arm spinner Duncan Johnson (4-67), David Pryke (2-15) and Alex Tuttle (2-21) swept South Wilts away for 157.

Discarded Hampshire opener Jason Laney hit an undefeated 95 as leaders Havant sent Bournemouth crashing to an eight-wicket defeat at Chapel Gate.

Without the influential Mike Stonier, Bournemouth were dismissed for 169 and were soundly beaten by a workmanlike Havant team.

Matt Swarbrick, whose 55 included eight fours, continued his encouraging form, but Bournemouth's shallow batting resources were highlighted as Havant called the tune.

Julian Cassell (23) and Canford School captain Andrew Bell (19) made a brief impact, but it was largely left to Martin Miller, who made 40 in two hours, to keep Bournemouth afloat.

Havant's young left-arm slow bowler Stephen Foulger wheeled away for 25 overs and finished with 6-55 as Bournemouth slipped to 169 all out. Jamie Hands (2-37) dismissed Dominic Carson (25) and Luke Sears (15), but Laney went on to hit 11 fours in his 95 not out, finding support from Andrew Perry (30 not out) as Havant cantered home.

Second-placed B.A.T.Sports, who face Havant at Southern Gardens next Saturday, crushed near neighbours Calmore Sports by 142 runs.

Richard Kenway (82) lef the way as B.A.T. piled up 237 all out before skittling Calmore for 95. Damian Shirazi (37), Dave Banks (27) and a late strike by Dan Goldstraw (28) liften B.a.T. to 237, with Allan Hurst (3-47) and James Hibberd (3-55) sharing six of the wickets.

But Calmore sank from 60-3 to 95 all out against the left-arm pace of Goldstraw (4-36) and off-spinner Richard Dibden (3-15).

Bashley's match against Andover petered out in a draw after skipper Neil Taylor adopted a 'safety first' policy. Taylor made 61 not out as Bashley closed the doors at 181-5, after Andover had totalled 231-9 off a rain-cut 58 overs.

They got off to a flying start through Steve Latimore (26) and Neil Thurgood 925), who chalked up 50 off ten overs, but needed a substantial knock from Luke Ronchi (18) if they were going to challenge Andover's target. Andy Neal hit 33, but after Roger Miller (4-42) had broken through, Taylor was content to deny Andover any sniff of success.

Jerry Hayward (56), Miller (53) and Ian Langdown (46) top scored in Andover's 231-9, with Matt King (3-46), John Whiting (2-46) and Ian Hilsum (2-36) enjoyed their moments with the ball.