LEFT-HANDER Tom Cowley made his best score since his return to the South Wilts fold by striking a match-winning 95 to steer the Bemerton second string to an eight-wicket win over Southern Premier League Division 2 strugglers Fawley at Holbury.
Cowley, nephew of Nigel, the former Hampshire off-spinner and now First Class umpire, enjoyed a sabbatical away from cricket last summer.
But, now groundsman at South Wilts’ swish headquarters, Cowley has returned with his batteries recharged and may soon be knocking on the door for a first team call-up.
He shared a 130-run second-wicket partnership with teenager Ben Draper (50) as South Wilts chased down an abridged Fawley total of 175 to win with time to spare.
Earlier, Fawley made a positive start, with Paul Marks (40) and Andy Parratt (38) sharing an 80-run start.
But, after Parratt had been run out, Paul Draper (4-21) cut through the Fawley batting, leaving Callum Earl (42) to guide his side to 190-9, a total subsequently trimmed.
The result cements South Wilts seconds in a sound mid-table position, but leaves Fawley second from bottom.
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