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SPCL 2/3 - Lymington gunning for Academy and top spot
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 26 July 2002
It's crunchtime in the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 championship race tomorrow with the hampshire Academy putting their leadership at risk against Lymington, and second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy hosting United Services.
It's an equally significant day at the top of Division 3, where leaders St.Cross Symondians visit nearest rivals Purbrook.
The Academy lead the field by a slender four-point margin, but the situation could change dramatically by tomorrow evening.
"Our biggest game in years" is Lymington skipper Dan Peacock's assessment of the Rose Bowl Nursery Ground clash against Tony Middleton's Academy youngsters.
"We've won our last six games and have come a long way in that time.
"Tomorrow is an opportunity for our young side to show what we can do," Peacock said.
Unchanged Lymington, who host Bashley (Rydal) in the New Forest CA President's Cup final tonight (6pm), are full of confidence after beating powerful Hungerford and United Services teams in the past three weeks.
They will have even more reason to start in a buoyant mood, having beaten the Hampshire youngsters earlier in the season.
The Young Hawks are without Mitchell Stokes, who is playing in the ESCA Under-15 Bunbury Festival. But they recall Kevin Latouf, who played alongside Naqeeb Ali Mohamed for England Under 18s against the India Youth side at Wellington College last weekend.
Just four points behing the Academy are Easton & Martyr Worthy, who could put United Services out of the title race if they complete a double at Burnaby Road.
US have batted poorly in the last two games, narrowly beating Rowledge and losing to Lymington.
Charles Forward has the opportunity to add to his 582-run tally when Old Tauntonians and Romsey entertain unpredictable Hungerford, whose South African paceman David Pryke has flown home.
Sparsholt have a recent score to settle when they entertain Rowledge, who knocked them out of the way to reaching the National Village Championship quarter-finals.
But Sparsholt are sadly lacking in confidence and, even though they have four wins to their credit, could be dragged into the relegation scrum, particularly if they lose to Rowledge, who are bottom.
Trojans, in equally deep trouble, give a Premier League debut to Hampshire Under 15 spinning all-rounder Hal Mohamed against Winchester KS at River Park.
Paul Douglas is out fo the Trojans team for the next thre weeks, but Jamie Donaldson returns.
Skipper Matt Parry-Lewis has a knee injury and is a doubtful starter for St.Cross Symondians' visit to Purbrook, who are without three key men.
Opener Mike Hennessy, Ian Hunter and all-rounder Craig Williams are all significant absentees for Purbrook, whose South African import Will Prozesky has scored 610 runs this season.
Alton, who have slipped to third place after suffering consecutive defeats, must rekindle their challenge with a win at Ventnor, who still need survival points.
Iain Griffiths returns from a early season back injury for fifth-placed New Milton against fading Flamingo, while Hursley Park (fourth) should stay in touch with a win over Hook & Newnham Basics.
Bashley (Rydal) II all-round Joe Hall, who was taken to hospital with facial injuries after beeing struck by a rising ball on one of Havant's newly laid strips last weekend, misses the match against Gosport Borough at the BCG.
"I had eight stitches removed from my eyebrow and cheekbone yesterday, but my vision out of one eye remains blurred," said Hall.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Daniel Peacock, Tony Middleton, David Pryke. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |