Hampshire League – Regional Division 1 West

DAMERHAM had not been expecting to win when they took on previously unbeaten Hythe and Dibden 2nds but, thanks to a fine all-round performance from their skipper Henry Gilbert, they beat the visitors by eight runs.

Both Tim O’Donnell (38) and Simon White (26) had lucky escapes as several chances were dropped in the opening overs and then Gilbert hit an unbeaten 49 as Damerham posted 176-7.

Hythe made a slow start and after 28 overs had made only 80-4. Luke Mills (42) and George Sanderson (29) tried to accelerate the scoring rate but it was too late and they were stopped at 168-9 with Gilbert taking 4-39 and Steve Osborn 2-18 from 10 overs.

Hyde’s long-standing all rounder, Mike Shutler, was in fine form with the bat but his late-order heroics were in vain as his side went down by 25 runs when they visited Brockenhurst in a ten-a-side match at Balmer Lawn.

After Shah had made 51, it was left to Micky Williams (79 no) to take Brockenhurst to 251-3. Hyde were in trouble at 68-5 but then Shutler (83 no) bolstered the tail order with support from Ben Daniels (28) and he put on 52 unbeaten for the eighth wicket with Jack Renshaw (25 no) as Hyde replied with 226-7.

Godshill’s poor form continued when they entertained Breamore and losing by eight wickets meant that they have now lost 13 matches in succession in this season and at the end of last season.

Jason Cooper (39) and Jon Bayliss (48) were the only batsmen to show any form against Paul Veit (3-30), James Fuller (2-27), Marcus Laycock (2-20) and Tom Marlow (1-22 off 10 overs).

As usual the Marlow brothers, Shaun (77 no) and Steve (24), gave Breamore a fine start with an opening stand of 65, Veit chipped in with 22, and Tom Marlow (22 no) and his father shared in an unbeaten stand of 53 as they won in 36 overs.