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Vimps previews the SPCL Division Two title challengers
Mike Vimpany - 28 September 2001
Portsmouth to walk away with the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 championship ?
Don't try telling that to Lymington or Old Tauntonians & Romsey, who have both got away to a two-match winning start.
Portsmouth moved quickly after Liphook & Ripsley nicked their promotion ticket at the end of last season and signed up half a new team.
Raj Maru initially persuaded his old county colleagues Lee Savident and Matthew Keech to join Lawrie Prittipaul at St Helen's.
And then secured the nomadic services of Hampshire hopeful Ben Nolan (who played for both Bashley (Rydal) and US last season) and Stephen Cook, the 18-year old son of the county coach, who successfully cut his teeth in Gauteng's provincial side in his native South Africa in March.
Line that quintet up alongside the likes of Paul Dew, Pete Hayward, Dave Tiller and Maru himself and you've got the makings of a pretty useful side ... on paper.
But Portsmouth's top order - Lawrie Prittipaul among them - were all blown away when Trojans pitched up on Southsea sea front last weekend.
Marvin Sandiford ripped out Portsmouth's Big Four for only 39 and, at 70-7 chasing 140-8, it was distinctly 'advantage Trojans'.
But Trojans, minus West Indian all-rounder Tim Subnaik and the influential Pat Douglas, were to be foiled in their bid for a hat-trick of Portsmouth scalps as English-qualified Cape Towner Paul Dew, got 64 not out and a significant helping hand from Maru (20) and Hayward to turn the tables.
"We'd have beaten them again had Timmy and Pat been playing. Portsmouth aren't that good," claimed Trojans captain Simon Williams.
The sight of Portsmouth's top order crumbling was music to the ears of Old Tauntonians & Romsey and Lymington, who shortly play Maru's marauders in significant back-to-back games.
OTs have lost Richard Taylor to BAT Sports, but picked up one or two new faces who threaten to make them a force to be reckoned with.
Consistency will be the name of the game for enigmatic OTs, who have previously been capable of beating - and being beaten by - anyone.
If Charles Forward continues his rich vein of form - he struck a glorious 139 against United Services last weekend - the Romsey club could be a match for most.
Lymington, with pretty sound accreditation credentials to achieve promotion to Premier 1, look a far stronger side than in recent years.
The presence of rapid-scoring Australian Brian Clemow at the top of the order, and quality spin all-rounders Glyn Treagus and Zimbabwean Daniel Peacock, could be too much for most sides.
Like OTs, who have beaten Hambledon and United Services, Lymington have won their opening two matches - both after posting hefty totals.
They rattled up 268-9 at Old Basing and 277-9 against Hambledon on a 'road-like' Sports Ground surface, which proved to the particular liking of Ben Craft, who clipped a superb 136.
Trojans finished fourth in the log last season and, as Portsmouth almost found to their cost, are a distinct threat when they get it all together.
Sparsholt, who looked set to win everything in sight for the initial three months of last season, should be quite capable of making sizeable totals.
But whether they have the capacity to bowl sides out remains to be seen.
Cove, eager to re-establish themselves after an unexpectedly torrid time last summer, should enjoy a comfortable finish this time out.
At the opposite end of the scale, a tough four months appears on the horizon for Easton & Martyr Worthy, Hambledon and United Services. Only time will tell......
Southern Electric Premier Division 2 - How the teams could fare ...
Cove
Captain: Troy Tompsett
Relegated from Premier 1 last season, Cove make no secret of their general dislike of the 50-over win/lose format, but they should comfortably hold their own this term. Hampshire's Jimmy Adams has rejoined St Cross Symondians, leaving greater responsibility on Neil Randall, Chris Benham, Ian Crompton and newcomer Martin Blackman to score the bulk of Cove's runs. If the Audsley brothers remain fit, Cove's opening attack will be useful, but have a bob or two on off-spinner Joe Ashton being the Division's top wicket-taker.
Prospects: Comfortable mid-table.
Actual finishing place: Second.
Easton & Martyr Worthy
Captain: Steve Green
Overseas: Anthony Ward (Australia)
Easton are under no illusions about the stern task that lies ahead in the coming months. They took Winchester's place when the city club failed the 'accreditation test' and have climbed a rung up the ladder without noticeably strengthening their side. Nonetheless, Steve and Shaun Green are a useful pair and should get runs, while Andy Birch will expect to be among the wickets.
Prospects: May struggle.
Actual finishing place: Fifth
Hambledon
Captain: Ian Turner
Overseas: Alistair Field
A pleasing fifth last season, the Don's are already on the back foot after successive defeats by Lymington and Old Tauntonians & Romsey, admittedly two of the stronger sides. The loss of Australian Dave Carson (to BAT) is a serious blow as, to a lesser extent, is Archie Norris's decision to try his luck at Finchampstead. Reg Norris may have to hold a brittle bating team together. Kelvan Finch and Ian Turner, though, will have few equals in the spin department.
Prospects: Bottom three.
Actual finishing place: Second from bottom and relegated.
Lymington
Captain: Neil Trestrail
Overseas: Brian Clemow (Australia)
Off to a flier after wins against Old Basing and Hambledon. Glyn Treagus's decision to turn down a move to Bournemouth and the arrival of quick-scoring Aussie Brian Clemow, from Sydney gives Lymington a powerful opening duo, which century-making Ben Craft will compliment fully. A three-pronged spin attack will cause untold problems, in particular Zimbabwe A offie Daniel Peacock, who flights the ball superbly. Now have one of the best tracks in the SPL. Consistency will be the key to success, with next Saturday's visit by Trojans likely to influence matters.
Prospects: Promotion contenders.
Actual finishing place: Third.
Old Basing
Captain: Dale Summers.
The absence of prolific Australian pair Sam Miller (now with Camberley) and Lee Sorfleet (back at South Perth) has left a massive void which Old Basing have been unable to fill. Mark Richards and Mark Andrews shone at Sparsholt, but last year's Premier 3 winners will surely struggle, especially after early season defeats by Lymington and Sparsholt have left them planted at the bottom.
Prospects: Not great.
Actual finishing place: Last and relegated.
Old Tauntonians & Romsey
Captain: Stuart Tulk.
Overseas: Cameron Sterling (Australia)
Played two, won two - the perfect start which gives OTs the prospect of being front-runners in the promotion stakes. On their day, OTs can beat anyone, particularly if Charles Forward gets into full flow, as he did with 136 against United Services. Newcomers Nick and Geoff Stobbert look handily additions to a useful squad. Aussie speedster Cameron Sterling was due to make his debut at Trojans today and complement the ever-accurate Jeremy Ord. But, as usual, there's no stopping the wicket-machine Nick Wood, who has bagged nine victims in the opening two games.
Prospects: Pretty good.
Actual finishing place: Sixth.
Portsmouth
Captain: Raj Maru.
Overseas: Stephen Cook (South Africa)
On paper, Portsmouth should win Premier 2 after just missing out to Liphook & Ripsley last summer. Ex-county pair Matt Keech and Lee Savident join Gauteng prospect Stephen Cook, but it was left to Paul Dew and captain Raj Maru to spare Portsmouth's blushes against Trojans. Teenager Ben Nolan, thirsting for a Hampshire contract but as yet unproved, pairs alongside Dave Tiller in attack, with Maru and Pete Hayward providing the spin.
Prospects: Will be disappointed to finish second again.
Actual finishing place: First.
Sparsholt
Captain: Tim Simmonite.
Not the youngest side about, but a useful one nevertheless. Jerry Frith has taken his runs to Guernsey, but Rob Savage switches from US to beef up the batting. Tim Richings is a class act, arguably the best in Premier 2, and by mid-season will have Kevin Foyle and Ian Stuart alongside him. Shrewdly led by Tim Simmonite, Sparsholt have added the experience of Ian Ellis to their attack, which already boasts swingster Malcolm Ball, Andy Lang and Carl Nichols.
Prospects: Top half.
Actual finishing place: Eighth.
Trojans
Captain: Simon Williams
Overseas: Tim Subnaik (Trinidad)
Competitive in the extreme, Trojans almost derailed Portsmouth last weekend. Simon Williams somehow gets the best out of his players with his unique captaincy style and demonstrates a canny knack of ruffling opposition feathers. Tim Subnaik plays with typical Caribbean bravado, but Pat Douglas is probably Trojans best all-rounder. Evergreen Chris Mitchell and Marvin Sandiford are a handy new-ball duo.
Prospects: Dangerous loose cannons.
Actual finishing place: Seventh.
United Services
Captain: Gary Hounsome
Overseas: John Geoghegan (South Africa)
The winter merger with PCS Cormorants has boosted playing numbers at Burnaby Road, but not necessarily quality. Matt Keech, Aminul Islam, Rob Savage, Ben Nolan, Chris Potter and Andy Ford are among the departees, leaving Gary Hounsome with the bulk of last year's modest PCS Hampshire League team. Johannesburg teenager John Geogeghan, whose eyes are fixed on a South Africa Under-19 slot, looks a tremendous talent, particularly with the bat, but will need consistent support from Mike Bath, Damien Carson and Mark Toogood.
Prospects: May be among the strugglers.
Actual finishing place: Fourth.
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