Hampshire League – County Divisions

ELLINGHAM 2nds defeated Burley in County Division 4 West by five wickets in which Russell Starks smashed a fine century to ease their relegation worries.

Burley did themselves no favours as they fielded only ten players and their second-string bowling attack was well below-par.

It started very well for the home side as their openers Craig Doick (53) and Kieron Hudson (44) shared in an opening stand of 112. The good work was maintained by Alex Martin (45), Alec Moorman (44), Wayne Tucker (29 no) and Steve Moorman (19 no) as Burley amassed 295-5.

With such a large target to chase, Ellingham were wary about losing early wickets but once they had seen off Burley’s opening attack, runs began to flow especially from Starks, who struck 125 and was supported by Ties Lambers (44).

Once they were out, it was left to Andy Donaghue (53 no) and skipper Andy Jones (22 no) to see the visitors home with an over to spare.

Verwood were pleased with themselves after taking all ten Farley wickets for 76 after the visitors looked certain for a big score with a century opening stand but then their batting let them down and they lost by 75 runs at Potterne Park.

Farley skipper Mike Covill (45) was in his usual fine form but when the Verwood captain John Driscoll (3-21) brought himself on, wickets began to tumble and with Jerry Milward (3-25) and Ollie Arnold (3-21) giving good support, the Wiltshire side folded for 176 in the 42nd over.

Verwood included a number of under-14 players in their side but it was the senior players, with the exception of Charlie Gajic (20), who fell cheaply as they succumbed for 101 in 39 overs.

Although they were bowled out for 127 by Suttoners in County Division 3 South, Woodgreen made their opponents work hard for their runs before losing by three wickets.

After slumping to 9-3 and 35-5, Woodgreen recovered thanks to a sixth wicket stand between Andy Parker (47) and Jack Griffiths (16) and then Parker added 29 for the eight wicket with Chas Potts (12) before they were all out in the 30th over with Frank Fitzjohn (4-34) and Toby Saunders (3-24) the main wicket takers.

Ben Clifford (36) and Wayne Murry (27) put on 42 for Suttoners’ first wicket and they looked set for an easy victory at 74-2 before they collapsed to 107-7 against Richard White (4-30) before winning without further loss in 36 overs.

Ellingham dropped into the relegation zone in County Division 1 with a 52-run defeat at the hands of Sarisbury Athletic 2nds at Picket Post.

The visitors’ skipper hit 147 in his side’s 286-5 and although Ellingham were never too far behind, they were bowled out for 234.