Sparsholt and Rowledge win National Village county finals

Tim Simmonite cracked an undefeated 87 as Sparsholt beat Hursley Park by 70 runs to win the Hampshire zone of the National Village Championships, sponsored by The Cricketer.

Simmonite lifted Sparsholt from a worrying 46-4 (Trevor Foreman 2-9) to 183-6 of 40 overs. With support from Craig Falkingham (32) and Ian Stuart (31), Sparsholt ravaged 137 runs off the last 16 overs.

Hursley Park, who spilled six catches during the run torrent, were dismissed for 113 (Dave Westbrook 25), with Ian Stuart (3-19) and Ian Ellis (3-24) doing the damage.

Sparsholt's first national round opponents are Southern Electric Premier League side Rowledge, who visit the Norman Edwards Memorial Ground on Sunday July 7.

Rowledge proved too strong for Holmbury St Mary in the Berkshire/Surrey county group final. Rowledge scored 204 for 8, with David Lloyd making 69 and Nick Morant, recently returned from Bath University, 57.

Holmbury St Mary were dismissed for 128, Lee Rogers claiming 4-38, Ricky Yates 3-11 and Wycombe Wanderers soccer starlet Matt Warner 2-16.