Runs and wickets for veteran Ady

2:25pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

Upper Clatford's disappointing end to the season continued as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Linkenholt.

Christian Nicel (2-33) and Matthew Glenn (1-35) put the hosts under pressure from the off then Justin Nicel then produced season best figures of 4-22 from 12 overs. Only Ady Holdaway with 50 not out, Paul Struthers (11) and number ten Steve Jones (28) stood in the way as Linkenholt totalled 133-9.

In reply Mothersole and Jones reduced Clatford to 0-2 from eight balls but Justin Nicel began rebuilding in a third wicket partnership of 63 with Paul Stanford. At 110-5, Clatford were well on top but the game changed when Nicel was given out lbw for 59. Clatford folded to 128 all out with Holdway finishing with 4-20 from five overs.

Collingbourne entertained Corsham III in their Wiltshire Division 2 clash.

With Collingbourne hovering over the drop zone and Corsham pushing for promotion it was always going to be a close game. Corsham elected to field on a drying pitch and Collingbourne struggled to 51 from 21 overs. However Tom Grant (24), Jon Cummings (34) and captain Owen Sheppard (50) saw the score power along to 100 from 30 overs. Skipper Facorley then ripped through the remaining batsmen claiming 6-25 and leaving Collingbourne 151 all out.

In response Charlie Knight (1-27), Grant, (1-25) Tom Pike (1-42) and Ben Doherty (3-51) bowled tirelessly to restrict Corsham to 102-5 from 35 overs but they picked up the pace from there and captain Facorley hit the winning runs with seven balls to go.

AN opportunity was missed when the Longparish side visited OT and Romsey II.

Winning the toss and batting first the visitors were given a solid start by skipper Paul Blackmore and George Kousseff on a damp track as they put on 110 before Blackmore fell for 53 including five fours. But the time taken was 33 overs which is under three and a half runs per over. The final 12 overs produced a total of 58 runs making a score of 168-7 of which Kousseff made a prudent 54 and Martin Bearpark 14 no.

The reply by the home side was build around S Vutler 41 and C Forward 76 who has had vast experience at first team level, and these two put on 90 before being parted. They reached the Longparish target losing another four wickets at 169-5 with five overs to spare.

The most successful bowlers were Barry Blackmore 2-38 and Stuart Tognarelli 1-45 but the highlight for Longparish was a first ever wicket by whippet Timmo Oram for the village side.

St Mary Bourne visited Longparish II and, winning the toss, invited the hosts to bat.

Parish's opening pair of Adam Lister (94) and Justin Jackman (56) tucked into some mediocre bowling as they fashioned a partnership of 124 in only 25 overs. The brakes were applied by Steve Wood (4-39) and Rob King (3-50) as the innings faltered briefly but some late big hitting by Steve Benco (28no) allowed the hosts to close on an excellent 222-7.

In reply, Bourne shrugged off the loss of star man James Riley (14) as skipper Clayton Danks (48) and King (41) blunted the Parish attack. At 128-3 off 29 it was a crucial period of the game but a partnership of 81 off the next nine overs from Adam Parsonage (43) and Andy Stevens (55no) took Bourne to within sight of victory.

Stevens was especially brutal as he completed his 50 off only 32 balls with a huge six to seal victory with three overs to spare.

Having won their last three games Wherwell went to Dinton more in hope than expectation but came away with the points in a tight nerve tingling game.

Stuart Norridge finally won the toss and elected to bat on a soft pitch but Wherwell lost Colin Hitchings in the second over. Ian Whyton (11) joined Dave Langford (29) and they struggled to come to terms with accurate bowling backed up by sharp fielding. Wickets fell with regularity on a pitch where the only ball to come through at a good height was a full toss. Despite a good run rate the lower order were again batting inside the first 20 overs.

Paul Whyton (52) joined Nathan Young (16) then Mark Pettman (16) and they set about the bowlers then a late flurry from Scott Blackmore (10) saw Wherwell to a respectable 160 all out. The Dinton innings never looked like getting close as they were reduced to 58-8 by a magnificent spell of controlled bowling by Young (5-23) and Pettman (3-63), however the late order dug deep and the target got to 22 from nine overs. Veteran Hitchings struck twice to give Wherwell a deserved 16 run victory.

On Saturday Lewis Jones led the Thruxton cricket team to victory by 32 runs against Kimpton in this year's Dave Jones Memorial match.

The match was a splendid example of friendly, good humoured play and the trophy was presented by Mrs Janice Jones. The cricket teas were provided by the loyal helpers and were particularly good. Jim Robinson as captain of Kimpton, vowed to be back next year to restore the trophy to Kimpton.

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