Marston continues fine pre-season form as Portsmouth CC claim friendly victory over city students

Portsmouth's Joe Kooner-Evans. Picture: Keith Woodland

After hitting 45 in the opening friendly against Liphook & Ripsley, Marston top scored with 71 as his side won on 193-2.

Skipper James Christian was still there at the close, unbeaten on 53.

Earlier, Harry Gadd - who plays for Havant in the Southern Premier League - had hit 81 for the students.

University of Portsmouth batsman Harry Gadd. Picture: Keith Woodland

Opening partner Suren Patel made 22 and the University were well placed on 115-2. They then lost three wickets for the addition of just a single run, though.

Portsmouth host Havant at St Helens in a friendly this Saturday.

Teenager Jack Collett ended agonisingly short of a century as a Portsmouth XI handed out a 145-run drubbing to Waterlooville 2nds.

Batting at No 6 for a team made up of 2nd and 3rd XI regulars, Collet struck eight fours and five sixes in an unbeaten 98 at St Helens.

Howzat! Portsmouth CC trio (from left) Hemanshu Herani, James Christian and Alex Hammond appeal. Picture: Keith Woodland

No 3 Joe Eales was also close to a hundred, hitting 92 as the hosts rattled up 291-7 off their 40 overs.

Matt Walton (33) and Billy Eales (21) had opened with a 45-run stand.

Off-spinner Ethan Randall - one of four spinners in the home XI - opened the bowling when Ville replied and returned 6-2-17-3.

Among his victims was skipper Jake Charman (0) as the visitors crumbled to 31-5 with the game effectively over as a contest.

Portsmouth CC bowler Reuben McArdle. Picture: Keith Woodland

Left-arm spinner Jonathan Brook, brought on by skipper Simon Jones as first change, returned figures of 8-3-17-2.

No 7 Charlie Ellis (41) top scored for Ville while No 9 Matt Cook was unbeaten on 27 as his side ended on 146-8 off 40 overs.