League and cup battles for Havant this weekend

HAVANT are again involved in a double-header of league and cup action starting with a Southern League premier division trip across the Solent to face Ventnor.
Richard HindleyRichard Hindley
Richard Hindley

On Sunday they host Surrey visitors Weybridge in the quarter-finals of the National Club Knock-Out competition.

League-leaders Havant are favourites to beat basement club Ventnor who are without a league win this season.

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Vice-captain Andrew Gorvin isn’t expecting any slip-ups but knows his team have to be on their guard.

He insists Havant won’t allow themselves to be distracted by the cup they face the following day.

‘We should beat Ventnor and I am expecting us to keep our focus,’ he said.

‘In the league we have six games left and we know if we win them all then the title is ours.

‘We need to just stick at what we have been doing.

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‘It is important we don’t take Ventnor too lightly and are aware we will still need to put in a performance.

‘After our dominating win over New Milton, though, I am looking for us to do the same again.

‘Though a couple of players are unavailable we do have plenty of strength in depth.

‘The cup game is a massive game for the club.

‘In 2012 we reached the semi-finals of the competition and this year our aim is to go one better and reach the final.

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‘We are also in the T20 knock-out semi finals so remain with a chance of honours on three fronts.’

Chris Stone and Richard Hindley are the two players unavailable.

Burridge are expecting another tight affair as they take on New Milton in the New Forest.

When the two sides met earlier in the season Burridge won by eight runs.

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Vice-captain Dan Hewitt believes there could be little between the two teams again.

He said: ‘In the first game New Milton were massively in the driving seat for the first 30 overs.

‘We managed to turn things around after that.

‘It has been a much improved season which is down to our extra experience and making a good start.’