Havant’s Burns is too hot for Bedhampton to handle

Graham Burns, left, turned in a fine all-round performance for Havant 2nds against Bedhampton. Pic: Mick Young.

First, he walked out to the middle at No 9 with eight overs to go and hammered an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Burns put on an unbroken 71 for the eighth wicket with No 4 Oliver Jones, who hit an undefeated 76 off 71 balls as Havant posted 229-7 - a total boosted by 21 wides.

Then Burns, a former 1st XI regular, claimed 3-13 off his eight overs as Bedhampton were restricted to 144-9.

Earlier, Havant skipper Alex Whitfield - playing against his former club - had been dismissed for just two.

James Holder (4-30) was Bedhampton’s best bowler.

In reply, 14-year-old Dan Aitken bowled brilliantly with the new ball.

He struck in his first over, removing Kuldeep Rana, and ended with figures of 7-2-13-1.

Ross Basketter (28) and George Parvin (21) took the score to 54 before the latter was caught by Burns off Jack Lee.

That 54-2 soon became 93-7 with Burns dismissing middle order pair S Wainwright (6) and skipper Sam Robinson (0) cheaply.

Syge Bologne (28) and Holder (26 no) spared Bedhampton from further embarrassment but they finished well adrift.

Havant’s Southern Premier League Cup campaign got off to a losing start at Alton.

The hosts bounced back from a nine-wicket mauling by the Hampshire Academy to claim a 21-run East group success at the Jubilee Ground.

Given a good start by Ryan Covey (44) and captain Dan Harris (35), Alton posted 196-6 off 40 overs before restricting Havant to 175.

Covey (44) and Harris (35) put on 77 before third change bowler Darryn Stares had the latter caught by Harry Gadd.

Havant skipper Chris Morgan had used five other bowlers by the time he brought himself into the attack.

He promptly dismissed Scott Myers (0) as Alton dipped to 93-3.

But Tom South (36), on ‘loan’ from the Hampshire Academy, and Alex Hammond (12) raised the total to 142 before left-arm spinner Morgan (4-27) dismissed both.

At 149-6, the Brewers’ innings had reached a potential crossroads, but Toby Salmon smacked a quickfire 34 not out off 24 balls and with support from teen all-rounder Jude Wright (15no) lifted the tea-time score to 196-6.

Havant’s innings failed to get into any sort of rhythm, Dan Scott (2-21) nipping out Harry Gadd (21) and fellow opener Charlie Whitfield (5) before the visitors sank to 76-5 and effectively out of the frame.

Some of their problems were self-inflicted - veteran all-rounder Richard Hindley run out for a duck after only facing five balls.

Jez Bulled (27) and Morgan (25) - the latter arguably batting too low at seven - restored some order to proceedings.

But with Wright - the last of seven Alton bowlers used - taking 3-26, it was left to Jerry (hitting a run-a-ball unbeaten 36) to apply the long handle to take Havant’s reply to 175 all out.