Teenage Wheeler leads New Milton to victory over neighbours

Hampshire Under-16 prospect David Wheeler played the star role as New Milton pipped Southern Electric Premier League Division 3 neighbours by three wickets at Ashley.

Wheeler grabbed 3-42 as Bashley reached 198-7 and then struck a superb 79 to set up New Milton's penultimate-over victory.

Woolston schoolteacher Shane Merkel celebrated his Flamingos debut with an undefeated 134 as last year's Hampshire League champions began Premier 3 life with a 97-run win over Paultons at The Holt.

Merkel, introduced to Flamingos by Hampshire batsman Jason Laney, plays Surburban Turf League cricket in Perth, Western Australia.

He struck 20 boundaries in his 134 not out, which dominated Flamingos' 261-4. Andrew Collins hit 52 in Paultons' 164 all out - Adie Heath (3-26) and Stuart Shapland (3-40) doing the damage.

Hampshire's Jimmy Adams showed his pace bowling process with a 4-27 return in St Cross Symondians' nine-wicket triumph over Hursley Park.

Only John Harris (36) made an impact as Hursley lurched to 110 all out - a total St Cross polished off with Graham Barrett notching a half-century.

Alton bagged a second consecutive win, scoring 181-9 before dismissing much fancied Purbrook for 129.

Evergreen Keith Lovelock hit 101 and shared a thumping 165-run partnership with South African Janish Kominsky (80) as Hook & Newnham Basics totalled 218-4 to overhaul United Services' 213-5.

Matt Gover crakced a quick-fire 61 as newly promoted Havant II raced past Leckford's 170 all out.

Army all-rounder Andrew Hole took 3-19 for Havant before hitting an unbeaten 63 in a comfortable seven-wicket win.

A half-century by Jimmy Taylor (50) and a four-wicket burst by Raj Naik, which culminated in a hat-trick, eased Winchester KS to an easy 106-run win at struggling Waterlooville, who were bowled out for 58.

Peter Tapper starred with figures of 3-17 and a blistering 52 (off 27 balls) as Lymington II scrambled a nervous two-wicket win at Rowledge.