Nottage and Creamer impress as new boys Portsmouth Community win again in the Hampshire District League

John Creamer took three wickets as Portsmouth Community defeated Bedhampton Mariners 2nds. Picture Ian Hargreaves

He followed up his 76 not out against Kerala with 60 as Community defeated Bedhampton Mariners by 63 runs to take over top spot in the table.

Nottage - one of the club’s founder members - hit nine fours and a six with his top score helping Community post 218-7 at Bidbury Mead.

Simon Smith supported him with 46 while there were also 40 extras, including 19 wides.

Bedhampton opener Alan Saunders returned impressive figures of 8-4-15-2 while new ball partner Steve Pinhorne (3-40) was the most successful bowler.

Den Housley, playing his first competitive game for Community, made an instant impact when he dismissed top order pair James Barry (4) and Ed Morrell (0). He finished with 3-20 off five overs, three of which were maidens.

Adam Joy (37) and Lee Keeping (29) top scored before both fell to John Creamer (3-33).

Bedhampton - suffering their second defeat in a row - ended on 155-9 off their 40 overs.

Beli Sukumaran and Linson Poulose shared a match-winning ninth wicket stand to give Kerala victory over Emsworth 2nds.

Chasing 172 for victory, Kerala were facing defeat before wicket-keeper Sukumaran (36 not out) and No 10 Poulose (26 not out) came together.

The winning runs came off the final ball of the last over.

Emsworth opening bowler Dave Needham (8-2-18-2) had earlier dismissed top order pair Mithum John (1) and Jithin John (3).

Callum Headon (2-32) and Sagar Desai (2-33, including seven wides) had earlier bowled good spells to peg Kerala back.

Joe Scott’s unbeaten 59 had helped Emsworth post 171-6, with opener Clive Paillin hitting 43. Jithin John (2-32) was Kerala’s most successful bowler.