PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHSEA v YATELEY
MCC SPIRIT OF CRICKET U13 COUNTY FINAL
@ Hursley Park Cricket Club
Thursday 26th June 2008
Yateley (36-0) beat Portsmouth & Southsea (35 all out) by 10 wickets
Yateley’s all-star side, which included 6 county players, were far too strong for Portsmouth & Southsea in the U13 County Finals. Hampshire U13 & U14 Jack Wood devastated the Portsmouth & Southsea top order with his terrific opening spell of 4 for 11 from 4 overs and wickets continued to tumble for P & S who couldn’t cope with the accurate Yateley bowling. Tom Benfield provided some resistance, scoring an admirable 12 given the circumstances, but Yateley would not let up the pressure. Miles Covers returned figures of 4 overs 3 maidens 3 wickets for 1 run to further damage P & S hopes and although the lower order fought hard to push the total past 30 Yateley’s bowlers were just too good on the day taking the final wicket in the 17th over with the score at just 35.
Yateley’s opening duo of James Halson (14*) and Jack Wood (18*) then set about overturning the small total. Both players showed maturity in manouvering the P & S openers around to accumulate the runs required. It soon became clear that there was going to be no surprise ending and Yateley cruised home with all 10 wickets intact.
Jack Wood (4-11 & 18*) was named man of the match and presented with the match ball by Hursley Park Cricket Club Chairman Bill Conroy. Yateley will progress to the County Play-off against Isle of Wight Champions, Ventnor Cricket Club.
HAMBLEDON vs BASINGSTOKE & NORTH HANTS
NATIONWIDE U15 COUNTY FINAL
@ Hursley Park Cricket Club
Thursday 26th June 2008
Hambledon (113-6) beat Basingstoke & North Hants (96 all out) by 17 runs
Hambledon’s total of 113 proved too much for the Basingstoke batsman in the Nationwide U15 County Final. Hambledon batted first and although they lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the early part of their innings, they were always in with a chance of posting a competitive total while Hampshire U14 Ollie Mills was at the crease. Mills knock of 50* was the highlight of an innings which appeared to be a little short of the mark. Basingstoke bowled and fielded well, in particular Mills' Hampshire team mate Joe McDonnell who took 3 wickets in his four overs.
Basingstoke’s run chase started promisingly and the runs were soon flowing for the North District Champions, Nick Arnold excelling himself with a fine innings of 44. The batting side looked to be strolling to victory but Hambledon’s bowling duo of Cameron Prentice (4-9) and Ollie Mills (3-8) led a fight back ripping through the Basingstoke middle and lower order and as the run rate crept up Hambledon soon became favourites to take the crown; Basingstoke’s final hope was extinguished with the score 17 short.
Ollie Mills (50* & 3-8) was named man of the match and presented with the matchball, signed by Hampshire cricketers Richard Morris and David Balcombe, by Hursley Park Cricket Club Chairman Bill Conroy. Hambledon have a bye in the First Regional Round and will play their second round match at home against either Ryde Cavaliers or the Wiltshire U15 champions on Sunday July 20th 2008.