Hampshire Under-17s crashed out of the ECB County Championships after losing by five wickets to Surrey YCs at Reigate yesterday (THURS).

The damage was done in the opening hour of the scheduled two-day 100 overs per side national quarter-final when Hampshire, put into bat on a damp and under-prepared surface, lost their first four wickets for only 34 runs.

Portsmouth's Michael Barnes (52) and latterly Michael Boyd (25) tried hard to rescue the situation, but some generally irresponsible batting led to Hampshire slipping to a disappointing 137 all out (Nick Grist 4-15).

King Edward VI all-rounder Boyd (2-13) achieved two breakthroughs but Chris Murtagh (39) guided Surrey to a comfortable five-wicket win in the 40th over. Hampshire Under-19s will be aiming to do better when they face Herefordshire in their two-day ECB quarter-final tie at Long Marston, near Tring on Tuesday.

© Hampshire Cricket