Portsmouth & Southsea CC appear in good shape as competitive cricket restarts after lockdown

Chairman Harry Yard admitted the club had been left frustrated by the pandemic-related delay to the new season following a superb 2019 campaign.

The 1st XI maintained their Southern Premier League Division 3 status for the third year running, the 2nds and 3rds both won promotion from their respective Hampshire League divisions, while the 4ths - featuring a lot of colts players - claimed a top half finish.

‘We also reached the final of the T20 Plate competition,’ said Yard. ‘We played Hampshire Academy and only just lost (by 11 runs).

‘It was brilliant for the team to play at The Ageas Bowl, it’s like an amateur footballer getting the chance to play at Old Trafford.’

Initial signs are encouraging that all the players - throughout all age ranges - are remaining loyal to the sport and haven’t lost interest during lockdown.

‘There were fears clubs could lose younger players; it’s easier for young people to lose interest quickly,’ said Yard.

‘But a lot of our colts were taking up the one on one coaching sessions when we started offering them.

‘Everyone’s just glad to be back playing again.’

Yard added: ‘We haven’t got many outgoings, we’re lucky compared to some clubs, and we haven’t lost any players.

‘We’ve got enough players to field four strong sides this weekend, and there’s still a couple of players missing.

‘That shows we have quite a tight group of players.’

P & S’ priorities are blindingly simple. ‘There’s three main things we want,’ revealed Yard.

‘We want the colts to be as successful as possible. We’ve had an amazing amount come through in the last few years.

‘Sean Kanavan is in charge of the colts and he’s done a great job.

‘The first team squad have been together for a few years now and eight or nine of them have come through from the colts.

‘We want all the adult teams to be as successful as possible, and last year was one of the best seasons we have had.

‘Thirdly, we just want everyone to enjoy themselves. I’d say 90 per cent of the players always come back to the club after a game to chat and socialise.

‘I just want the club to get bigger and better every year.

‘I’m 31 now and I’ve been here 16 years. When I started there were only two adult teams and one colts team that I played in.

‘Now there’s four adult teams and six colts team, from under-9 to under-15.

‘There’s also two midweek teams.’

P & S begin their Southern League Cup Division 2 / 3 East group games this weekend at Liphook & Ripsley.

Team: J Davies, M Benfield, O Kanavan, T Benfield, A Davidson, J White, B Saunders, J Peach, J Wiley, C Turrell , K Dunstan

P & S lifted the curtain on their delayed season last weekend with a six-wicket friendly loss at Havant.

P & S posted a competitive 229-6 in 40 overs after a 112-run opening stand between Matt Benfield (62) and Ollie Kanavan (53).

No4 Chris Bollom struck eight fours in a 48-ball undefeated 62, while Freddie Gadd (2-27) was the pick of the home bowlers.

Charlie Whitfield, 14, opened for Havant in reply - one of three teenagers making their 1st XI debut alongside 15-year-olds Darryn Stares and Jack Lee.

Whitfield helped Harry Gadd put on 50 for the first wicket before he fell for 11.

Gadd went on to top score with a 61-ball 67, including 11 fours and a six, but Havant were 152-4 when he departed.

That brought skipper Chris Morgan to the middle and along with veteran Richard Hindley the pair put on an unbroken 78 for the fifth wicket.

Morgan ended undefeated on 42 and Hindley was 34 not out.

Danielle Ransley bagged two wickets in her first two overs as a Havant XI defeated Emsworth in a friendly.

Asked to chase 215 for victory, Ransley had opener Lee Gray caught by Alex Whitfield in her first over.

She then clean bowled Will Pitts in her second as Emsworth dipped to 10-2 en route to 144 all out. Barrie James (36) and Rob Norris (32) top scored.

Opener Andrew Ruston had earlier hit 60 and Steve Matthews (39no) and Whitfield (37no) had put on an unbroken 73 for the sixth wicket as Havant closed on 214-5 off 40 overs.

Skipper Tim Dix hit 38 after Dan Webb (3-45) had reduced Havant to 25-3.

Like P & S, Havant play their first competitive game of 2020 this weekend - hosting St Cross 2nds in the Southern Premier League Premier/Division 1 Cup East group.

Havant 2nds take on Emsworth Holybank (1.30pm).