The Hampshire Academy are Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 champions after pulling off their version of the Great Escape - and sending gallant Trojans down - at Stoneham Lane.

Requiring only two points to clinch the title, the Young Hawks were staring an unexpected defeat in the face when Jamie Donaldson (5-25) and Paul Douglas (3-28) sent them crashing to 8-5 and then 26-6.

But a lower-order revival, initiated by Mitchell Stokes (26) and Ian Hilsum (24), and driven by a timely 44 not out by David Griffiths, lifted the Academy to a match-winning 132 all out.

"Some of the shot selection early on was poor, but Trojans bowled pretty well," reflected Academy skipper Tony Middleton.

"It was a great fightback by the lads. The lowerorder batted patiently and used their brains."

Trojans, in a last-ditch bid to stave off relegation, got away to a flying start, but began to falter when Mario Mohammed was run-out, unwisely taking on Tony Middleton's arm from the boundary.

In between a brace by Lawrie Prittipaul (2-12), Trojans progressed to 48-1 through Simon Williams (21) and Donaldson (20) ... only to lose four wickets for nine runs.

The Academy spinners seized the initiative, with Ian Hilsum (4-21) removing the dangerous Donaldson before cutting through the tail to end Trojans gallant resistance at 112.

The Academy's 20-run win lifts the Young Hawks into the top tier of Premier League cricket next season - and sentences Trojans to a year in Division 3.

© Hampshire Cricket