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Local derby victory for BAT could see them go top
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 27 June 2002
BAT Sports could climb back to the ECB Southern Electric Premier League summit if they can overcome neighbours Calmore Sports in the annual Totton all-day derby at Southern Gardens, 11 o'clock.
But they will need a helping hand from Bournemouth, who host weakened Havant at Chapel Gate.
Havant, ten points ahead at the top, travel west minus three front line players and another key all-rounder injured.
Opening batsman Andy Perry, teenage wicketkeeper Steve Snell and left-arm spinner Phil Loat are all missing, while Havant opening bowler Malcolm Hobson has a hamstring injury and will probably play as a batsman.
It's given Bournemouth an ideal opportunity to win their first all-day `time' game - and claw their way back into contention. BAT and Havant are going well and are probably favourites at this half-way stage," says Bournemouth skipper Matt Swarbrick.
"If we are to get back into the scrap, we've got to beat these teams - and that starts with Havant tomorrow."
But BAT acknowledge that beating Calmore Sports will be anything but straight forward. "The Calmore lads raise their game for these derbies and ran us close twice last season.
"We've won 11 all-day games on the bounce, but that counts for nothing in these type of games," says BAT skipper Dave Banks, who is expected to send out an unchanged team.
Calmore's hopes will hinge on the performance of all-rounder James Hibberd, who has recently had a successful trial with Kent 2nd XI.
Hibberd will be joined by South Wilts pair Jamie Glasson and Russell Rowe in Wiltshire's three-day Minor Counties Championship fixture against Devon at South Wilts on Sunday.
Bashley (Rydal), who returned to winning ways at South Wilts last week, entertain early season pacesetters Andover, who have fallen away since the all-day cricket began.
Andover rushed to the front after winning four of their five 50-over matches, but consecutive defeats by Portsmouth and BAT Sports have dropped them to third place.
Bashley plan to send out an unchanged side, with Western Australia reserve wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi continuing his seam bowling role.
"Luke's presence in the Bashley wicket-taking stakes is raising a few eyebrows in Perth, but he's a very useful little medium-pacer ... as his figures recently have proved," said Bashley skipper Neil Taylor.
South Wilts, who play Havant in the ECB Club Championship zone final on Salisbury Wanderers' adjoining pitch at Bemerton on Sunday (2pm), go to Burridge, whose left-arm bowler Steve Willams (pulled hamstring) is sidelined for several weeks.
Russell Rowe, who hit a defiant 96 in Wiltshire's 153-run Minor Counties Championship defeat by Shropshire earlier this week, will expect to improve on his 343-run tally for the season.
Former Hampshire all-rounder Matthew Keech is getting married tomorrow and misses Portsmouth's home match with basement boys Liphook & Ripsley.
Portsmouth believe that, if they are successful against Liphook, they will have achieved Premier One safety.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Andrew Perry, Stephen Snell, Mackie Hobson, Matthew Swarbrick, David Banks, James Hibberd, Jamie Glasson, Russell Rowe, Luke Ronchi, Neil Taylor, Matthew Keech. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |