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It's plain sailing for Mariner - Division Two Report for week 3 Mike Vimpany - 20 May 2001
Will Mariner smashed four sixes in a blistering 40 not out as Sparsholt hit 27 runs off nine balls of the final two overs to secure a thrilling two-wicket win over Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 rivals Hambledon. Sparsholt began the penultimate over at 172-7 and didn't appear likely to threaten Hambledon's 196 ... until Mariner launched his blitz. He hit two towering sixes at the start of Gary Shotton's 49th over (which yielded 16 runs) and then swept Simon James for a giant six over square-leg to win the game for Sparsholt with three balls to spare. Tim Richings (72) was at the heart of Sparsholt ultimately successful run chase, but some tidy bowling by spin pair Ian Turner (4-32) and Kelvan Finch put the brake on proceedings ... until Mariner's late cameo changed everything. Mark le Clerq (58) was the mainstay of Hambledon's 196 all out - Finch cracking a quick-fire 29 late on ... ironically, with most of his runs coming off Mariner ! Last year's Division 3 champions Old Basing suffered a third successive defeat when they were dismissed for 70 and beaten by eight wickets by Cove. Seamer Mark Smith (5-9) and paceman Steve Audsley (4-17) did the damage, before a no-nonsence 47 by Ian Crompton carried Cove to a second consecutive win. Easton & Martyr Worthy are also struggling after a 66-run defeat by Portsmouth, whose Southsea-seafront meeting with Lymington on June 2 promises to be a key affair in the championship stakes. Former Hampshire all-rounder Matthew Keech (69) and county starlet Lawrie Prittipaul (56) established Portsmouth's position, although Andy Birch (4-48) got amongst the middle-order and and brother David (3-2) the tail to reduce the visitors to 194 all out. Steve Green (29) and Andy Birch (24) steered Easton to 69-2, but Maru's magnificent left-arm spell of 2-8 in ten overs nullified any prospect of a surprise result. Easton's lower order collapsed against Pete Hayward (3-25), only Mark Stone (24) making any late impression in his side's disappointing 128 all out. Lymington's impressive run romp goes on - the Division 2 contenders celebrating a third successive win after posting yet another 250-plus total. They flayed the United Services attack for 259-6 off 50 overs, but had to keep a careful eye on the Burnaby Road scoreboard as the Portsmouth side responded with a creditable 223 all out. Ben Craft, with an unbeaten 72, and Neil Trestrail (59) enjoyed a fourth-wicket stand of 148 after Australian Brian Clemow (44) and Glyn Treagus (20) had got the innings off to a flying start. Mark Toogood (43) and teenager Matt McKeever (24) got US away to a half-century start, before skipper Gary Hounsome (55) and South African youngster John Geoghan (37) took the reply on to a threatening 118-1. Clemow (3-40) effectively ended the challenge when he got amongst the middle-order, before spin duo Treagus (2-26) and Daniel Peacock (2-52) finished US off at 223 all out. © SEPL
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