Hampshire League – other regional divisions

VERWOOD 2nds’ determination to play their Regional Division 3 West match with Camelot at Potterne Park was rewarded as half-centuries from Jerry Millward and Eric Pearson set up their 111-run victory.

The match was reduced to 30 overs-a-side but Verwood were in trouble at 24-3 and at the halfway stage were only 45-3. During this time opener Eric Pearson had put up plenty of resistance but once Jerry Millward went after the bowling, the pair shared in an unbeaten stand of 120 that took Verwood to 153-4.

Plenty of boundaries were included in Millward’s unbeaten 90 whilst Pearson was out for 57 just before the end of the innings.

Camelot were never able to make a serious challenge as they were pegged back by the four-pronged Verwood attack. With two wickets apiece for Millward, Dan Thompson, Simon Jordan and Jack Driscoll, they were shot out for only 42 in the 20th over to move the Dorset side up to fifth in the table having won four of their seven matches.

It was a pity that top-of-the-table Hyde 2nds were unable to play their home match with second-placed Winterborne 2nds but the heavy rain made a start impossible. Hyde have won six and lost one with an average slightly better than Winterborne who have won five of their six matches.

Ellingham 3rds were forced to cancel their match with Burley 2nds at Picket Post but they are lying at the foot of the table having tasted victory in just one of their four completed matches. Burley, who are thirteenth, have won one out of six.

Ringwood entertained Redlynch and Hale 2nds but unfortunately for them the Carvers missed the worst of the rain and they lost by six wickets.

Winning the toss and batting first soon backfired as the first four Ringwood batmen scored just eight runs between them. In fact the only batsman in double figures was Dave Butcher who hit four fours and a six in his unbeaten 44 that was a big proportion of his side’s 73 scored off 32.5 overs.

Change bowlers Russ Church (3-31) and Will Hewlett (4-18) did most of the damage after the visitors were held in check by the opening attack of Dom Sell (9-5-8-1) and Jack Cobern (7-2-15-1).

Although Redlynch lost both openers quickly, Jonathan Hatchett (23) and Ben Vincent (25 no) steadied the ship and ensured victory in the 23rd over despite Tim Melbourne taking 2-18 from ten overs.

After their bright start, Ringwood have slipped to ninth in the table with four victories out of seven played. They are two places above Alderholt who managed just three overs in their away match with Calmore Sports so they retained their won three, lost four record.