Opener Jack Marston hits fourth Southern Premier League century as Portsmouth claim first win of 2023

Jack Marston struck 105 for Portsmouth in their SPL victory at Sarisbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Jack Marston struck his fourth Southern Premier League century as Portsmouth claimed their first win of the season.

The opener almost batted throughout his side’s reply at Sarisbury, hitting 105 and only being dismissed three runs short of victory.

That score bettered his maiden SPL ton (102 v Totton & Eling 2nds in 2014) and the 104 he plundered against Rowledge last summer.

But his career best remains the 129 he took off the Liphook & Ripsley attack six years ago.

Asked to chase 240 for victory at Allotment Road, Portsmouth’s key partnership came when Australian all-rounder Fraser Hay walked out to join Marston with the score 65-2.

Hay struck five fours and three sixes in a 73-ball 59, in a third wicket stand worth 129 runs.

Marston went on to collect 13 boundaries from a 145-ball stay before he was caught by Ricky Rawlins off the bowling off Jordan Knight.