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Two points for Academy but Trojans are fired up
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 29 August 2002
The Hampshire Academy need only two points from tomorrow's visit to Stoneham Lane to clinch the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 championship.
But they'll find relegation-threatened Trojans fired up, ready to make one last ditch attempt to stave off the drop into Division 3.
"A fortnight ago, we were goners," confessed Trojans skipper Simon Williams. "Since then, we've beaten United Services and Lymington - and given ourselves a mathematical chance of staying up.
"I accept we need a big win tomorrow - but I've told the boys they are capable of achieving it."
Trojans are certain to be without Tim Osman, who is getting married. "But I've persuaded a few of the others to join Tim at the reception, where they can hopefully toast our survival as well."
Tony Middleton expects to have a full strength side at his disposal, although quite a number of the Under-19 side will be on the coach bound for Bristol - and the ECB final - immediately after the game.
Trojans will, however, need a helping hand from Winchester KS at the Romsey Sports Centre if they are to survive.
"If Old Tauntonians & Romsey get eight points against them it's curtains for us - but that's out of our hands completely," Williams added.
The outcome of the Hungerford-Rowledge match could also have impact at the bottom. A 22-point win for Rowledge, currently bottom, would do neither OT's nor Trojans any good at all.
Second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy entertain Lymington, with Sparsholt visiting United Services.
Purbrook, already assured of promotion after last week's thrilling one-run win at Hursley Park, need ten points from Ventnor's visit to Purbrook Heath, where South African Willem Prozesky still has his eyes firmly fixed on beating Robin Smith's all-time league 1,015 run record.
He took his season's tally to 924 after striking a superbly executed century at the Quarters last week and is certain to curb his naturally aggressive instincts as he goes for his fourth hundred of the summer against Ventnor tomorrow.
St Cross Symondians, meanwhile, require five points from Havant II's visit to the Royal Green Jackets Ground to clinch the probably runners-up spot.... and the second promotion place.
But Havant are going well, having won their last five matches, with opening pair Simon Greenfield and Jon Owen in particularly good form.
In-form Gosport, though, could finish third if they beat off-colour Flamingo.
Hursley Park wind up their programme at New Milton, while Redlynch & Hale will be saying their goodbye - after a fleeting excursion into the Premier League - at one-time leaders Alton.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
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| Season | English Domestic Season |