Hampshire League – County Divisions

DESPITE being without their captain and prolific run-maker Alec Moorman who was surfing in Cornwall, Burley still managed to beat Ampfield and North Baddesley by 32 runs in County Division 4 West and it was mainly due to a fine opening stand between acting skipper Kieron Hudson and Craig Doick.

Both openers went off at a brisk pace with Doick hitting 11 runs off the first over of the match. The partnership produced 169 runs from 25 overs before Doick was out for 80 including 14 fours.

It was not long before Hudson followed when he was lbw for 87 including 13 fours and once the openers were gone, the scoring rate slowed considerably.

Wickets fell to Tom Holmes (4-50) and Mujeeb Rahman (2-14) as Burley were restricted to 233-9 from their 45 overs with the last nine batsmen scoring only 39 runs between them.

Ampfield were kept in check by the opening attack of Johnny Blundell (7-3-21-1) and Wayne Tucker (10-5-17-1) and they were soon well behind the clock as they lost three wickets, including opener Ben Hatcher (30), for 75.

Steve Lohse (69 no) and Gavin Buckle (44) increased the scoring rate in a stand of 68 for the fourth wicket but it was too late and the visitors were stopped at 201-6 as Steve Moorman claimed 2-29.

Verwood opener Scott McLeonards carried his bat for an unbeaten 75 but his only real support came from Luke Hancock (27) and John Driscoll (22) as Southampton Travellers restricted them to 178-6 at Potterne Park. The visitors took until the 44th over to reach their target as Jerry Milward claimed 2-40.

With several of their players called up for first team duty, Ellingham 2nds put out a fairly weak side that was rolled over for 83 by Pylewell Park at Picket Post.

Andy Weeks (35) top scored in the Ellingham innings that was in response to the visitors’ 299-8 in which James Turner took 2-48.

Ellingham’s first team fared little better in County Division 1 when Patrick Case (92) and Harry Blackburn (55) took Andover 2nds to 303-6 and, with only skipper Sean Leadbetter (64) in touch, the visitors were dismissed for 134.

This had been a ‘must win’ game for Ellingham as they were playing a team in the bottom two in the table and to lose by 169 runs was an indication of the problems that the Forest club have been enduring for several weeks.

Three teams are relegated and Ellingham are in the danger zone so it is essential that they win their last two matches. On Saturday they entertain Totton and Eling 2nds who are propping up the table but finish their fixtures with a trip to top team Alton 2nds.

In County Division 3 South Woodgreen had second placed Follands in trouble at 158-8 but, thanks to Mark Hannah (38 no), they recovered to 181-8 with Chaz Potts (3-19) and Jason Naish (2-38) the best of the attack.

Woodgreen were always chasing and despite a fifth wicket stand of 53 between Laurence Harding (43) and Richard White (19), they were all out for 145 in the 43rd over with Hannah taking 3-8.