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SPCL 2 & 3 - Spin attack the key for Lymo at Services
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 18 July 2002
Lymington's three-pronged spin attack is expected to hold the key to the outcome of tomorrow's Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 promotion clash against United Services at the Sports Ground, 1pm.
The New Forest club believes it has few equals to the off-break pairing of Danny Peacock and Glyn Treagus, and the left-arm flight and guile of Western Australian slow left-armer Aaron Heal, who have taken a combined total of 51 wickets this season.
They will unquestionably be the key players as Lymington look to extend their five-match winning sequence against a Services team lying just behind the Hampshire Academy in the log.
"It's a key game in both camps," confesses Lymington skipper Peacock. "And neither of us can afford to lose it."
Lymington are unchanged, while Services - who beat Peacock's men by 61 runs earlier in the season - go into combat minus Royal Navy opener Mark Toogood and John Mann, their former Combined Services all-rounder.
Significantly, US have chosen not to include a specialist slow bowler on a Lymington surface which is sure to turn.
The Hampshire Academy, three points in front at the top, go to SEC Cup semi-finalists Rowledge on a revenge mission.
"One of Rowledge's two wins came against us in a thrilling finish earlier on, so we have a score to settle,"says Academy coach Tony Middleton.
"I've said all along, Rowledge are a much better side than their bottom position suggests.
"They've got a huge weekend coming up, with a National Village game on Sunday and the Premier Cup semi-final at South Wilts on Monday, so they are bound to be up for it."
Middleton delays his Academy choice, but may recall teenager David Griffiths, if the Shanklin medium-pacer comes though today's Hampshire Under-17 game at Burridge.
Third-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy host Old Tauntonians & Romsey, while Rob Savage will face some of his old team-mates when Sparsholt play Winchester KS at River Park.
Trojans need to build upon last week's win at Sparsholt if they are to claw away from the bottom.
But skipper Simon Williams knows he has to make do without four first choice players at Stoneham Lane against Hungerford, who are equally in need of survival points.
St Cross Symondians, the new Division 3 leaders, entertain Leckford, who are strengthened by Mike Howard's return.
Flamingo's tussle with Purbrook is the pick of the games, although a home date with Hursley Park is of vital consequence to Alton, whose three-week leadership was ended by a crushing nine-wicket defeat by New Milton.
Alton, now fractionally behind St Cross, expect to be at full strength. Milton, meanwhile, take a full strength team to Hambledon aiming to boost their outside promotion hopes.
Ventnor's home meeting with Hartley Wintney features the champions and runners-up of the Hampshire League last season.
The Islanders won by a country mile last year, but - like their North Hampshire rivals - are in desperate need of relegation points this term.
Basement boys Redlynch & Hale have a mass unavailability at Gosport due to a wedding in the Wiltshire border village.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Daniel Peacock, Glyn Treagus, Tony Middleton, Robert Savage. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |