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SPCL 2 & 3 - Hursley Park's promotion hopes challenge ahead
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 22 August 2002
Hursley Park put their Southern Electric Premier League promotion hopes firmly on the line against runaway Division 3 leaders Purbrook at the Quarters tomorrow (SAT), 1pm.
But they go into the 50-over contest against the near promotion certainties full of optimism after winning five of their last six matches.
It's a run that has cemented Hursley in third place, significantly only four points behind Winchester neighbours St Cross Cross Symondians, who visit Hook & Newnham Basics.
With only two matches remaining, Hursley know it's effectively win or bust against Purbrook, who - 14 points clear of St Cross - can probably afford to lose to Hursley Park and Ventnor next week and still be promoted.
"But that's not the aim at all," says Purbrook captain Alan Mengham, whose takes a full strength side to The Quarters, "We've established a fair sized lead at the top and our aim is to be promoted as Premier 3 champions."
Purbrook have gorged 232 points from 13 completed games and will be virtually certain of being crowned champions if they beat Hursley.
Steve Shaw will be assured of a warm welcome at the King George V ground when he makes a sentimental return to play against his former Hook & Newnham Basics teammates.
It promises to be a stern test for full-strength St Cross as Hook have rediscovered their form and have cruised into a mid-table slot in recent weeks after looking potential relegation candidates for the first half of the season.
Any slip by St Cross could be crucial with ever-improving Gosport Borough and Havant II moving up fast on the rails.
Gosport, now in a best-yet fourth slot after a useful winning sequence, will fancy their chances at struggling Hambledon, while Havant 2nd XI captain Mat Gover is confident of success against his old club, Flamingo.
The situation at the bottom of the table could change if Redlynch & Hale follow last week's long overdue win over Paultons and win at Hartley Wintney, who lie second from bottom.
Relegation is virtually certain for the losers.
The Hampshire Academy could be breaking open the celebratory champagne if they beat United Services on the Rose Bowl Nursery ground.
One win from the last two games - their season finishes at Trojans - will take the county youngsters out of reach of second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy, who visit relegation fighters Rowledge.
US gave the Young Hawks a real fright earlier in the season, losing by one wicket at Burnaby Road, but they are badly weakened by unavailabilitiues. Top wicket taker Damien Carson does, however, return.
Easton know they have a real scrap on their hands against Rowledge, who are scrapping for every point in a bid to claw away from second from bottom place.
Rowledge, who pulled off a fine win at Lymington last week, were agonisingly beaten by two runs in last Sunday's National Village Championship semi-final.
"The way we played last weekend has given everyone great belief we can pulled this one off," says Rowledge skipper Dave Booton.
The Farnham club will be at full strength, but Easton could be without their influential skipper Steve Green.
Winchester KS can do Rowledge a massive favour if they beat Hungerford at River Park.
Lymington fly back from a tiring tour of Dublin for a home match with Trojans, who need to take 44 points from their final two matches - their last is against the Hampshire Academy - to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.
Opener Ollie Kelly, who has spent the past week icing a badly bruised ankle, is confident he will be fit for Sparsholt, who host Old Tauntonians & Romsey at the Norman Edwards Memorial Ground.
Skipper Rob Savage is expected back, but the absence of Charles Forward will seriously weaken OTs, for whom Ian Tulk returns.
© SPCL / Mike Vimpany
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |