Nottage continues fine form as new club Portsmouth Community claim latest Hampshire District League victory

Waterlooville 2nds' Charlie Croft bowls to Matt Barber at Cockleshell Gardens. Picture Ian Hargreaves

Nottage was one of the founder members of a club only formed last autumn by a handful of former Railway Triangle CC players.

He top scored with 38 as Community defeated Waterlooville 2nds by 41 runs at Cockleshell Gardens in their latest Regional League Group P fixture.

It was actually Nottage’s lowest score in his six innings in 2020 - three HDL matches and three friendlies.

Portsmouth Community's Matt Davies about to score runs off this delivery from Waterlooville 2nds' Will Chrystal. Picture Ian Hargreaves

Mike Bristow (25), John Creamer (24 not out) and Matt Davies (23) provided support, while Waterlooville also conceded 23 wides in a 31-run extras haul as Community posted 183-7.

Bob Hunt (2-24) and Charlie Croft (2-30) were Ville’s leading bowlers.

In reply, openers Matt Charman (42) and Daryl Gault (37) gave the visitors a fine start.

But it all changed when Gault was bowled by Dave Going and Charman was caught by Jack Whiteaway off the bowling of Creamer.

Portsmouth Community opener Matt Barber in action against Waterlooville 2nds. Picture Ian Hargreaves

Ville’s next five batsmen managed just seven runs between them as Going (3-20) and Creamer (3-25) wreaked havoc in their eight-over spells.

Luke Owen (23) and Will Chrystal (20 not out) provided late runs but Ville were restricted to 142-8 off their 40 overs.

Portsmouth 3rds remain second in the table after beating Emsworth 2nds by 62 runs at St Helens on Sunday.

Waterlooville 2nds' Joseph Vibhu bowling against Portsmouth Community at Cockleshell Gardens. Picture Ian Hargreaves

The Hampshire Cricket Board’s development manager Simon Jone was again in form with the bat.

A fortnight earlier he had hit an unbeaten 96 against Waterlooville 2nds; this time he just failed to reach his half-century, dismissed by Dan Webb for 49.

Callum Headon (3-48) had claimed the early wickets of Jack Collett (3) and Alan Walton (0), but captain Simon Boorah (40) and Matt Chapman (38) helped Jones take the hosts’ score to 195-7. There were also 31 extras.

Jonathan Brook and Joseph Stretton then combined to make early inroads into the Emsworth reply.

Opening bowler Brook returned 3-18 off his eight-over spell while Stretton, on as first change, claimed 3-22 off four overs.

Jack Mason (53 not out) and opener James Johnson (31) were the only ones to provide sustained resistance as Emsworth were dismissed for 133.

Emily McKenzie, on her first HDL appearance, took 1-16 off five overs.

Bedhampton Mariners 2nds forfeited their game with Railway Triangle 2nds as they couldn’t raise a side.