Hampshire claim honours in close battle with Northamptonshire

Hampshire claimed their first win of the season as they clinched victory over Northamptonshire in the penultimate set.
Andy Mitchell Picture: Neil MarshallAndy Mitchell Picture: Neil Marshall
Andy Mitchell Picture: Neil Marshall

Hants were in dominant early form with Kelly Palmer, Dawn Simmonds, Clare Cheney, Sue Lowther and Maria Agozzino propelling the ladies' B side to a 5-1 triumph.

Northamptonshire pulled level as the home side took a 5-1 lead in the men's second-string game, with only Mick Savvery able to muster any early resistance..

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However, the visitors then rattled off three on the trot through John Large, Dave Bonnett and Bradley Kirk to make it 5-4.

Northamptonshire won the next tie, but Nillson Pritchard pulled a set back to keep alive Hampshire's hopes of drawing the men's B game, before the home team took the last clash to win 7-5.

Hampshire took a 10-8 lead into the second day and extended it straight away as Lowther took

the opener in the ladies' A game.

The hosts then moved 2-1 up, before Joanne Senior pulled Hampshire level.

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Once again Northamptonshire moved ahead, but Jo Rolls won the last leg to end it 3-3.

Hampshire needed six sets from the men's A match to bag an overall win and immediately secured half of them as Troy Butler, Steve Phipps and Chas Barstow put them 3-0 up.

Northamptonshire got off the mark in the fourth set but Luke Getty restored the visitors' three-set

advantage straight away.

The hosts took the next two sets, before Mike Symes won to make it 5-3 to Hampshire and put them just one win from victory.

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However, Northamptonshire refused to roll over as they again won two sets in a row.

Fortunately for Hampshire, Andy Mitchell was on hand to give them an insurmountable lead before Northamptonshire won the final set as a consolation.

The 19-17 win and three bonus points push Hampshire up to mid-table in the premier division.

- LEE TODD