Community’s last-day defeat allows Portsmouth 3rds to win their Hampshire District League group

They were comfortably beaten by Emsworth 2nds after being swept aside for 87 in their final competitive game of their inaugural season.

That allowed Portsmouth 3rds to win the group after they wrapped up their fixtures with a 14-run success against Kerala 2nds at Drayton Park.

Community began well enough, with captain Matt Barber (14) and Matt Davies (9) putting on 29 for the first wicket.

But then three wickets went down for the addition of only a single.

Davies was bowled by Dan Webb before Mike Bristow and Shaun Davies were both dismissed without scoring by Charlie Willie (2-14 off seven overs).

Tom Bigwood (3-22) and Jack Mason (3-25) enjoyed impressive eight-over spells, while John Creamer (30) top scored for Community.

Emsworth openers Clive Pailin (40) and Dave Needham (18) put on 64 to virtually guarantee their side’s success.

Sheikh Ahmed (2-22) was Community’s only wicket-taker as the hosts strolled to an eight-wicket victory with more than 16 overs in hand.

Simon Jones and Billy Eales impressed as Portsmouth 3rds posted 165-3 against Kerala at Drayton Park.

Jones hit 53 - his third half-century in four HDL outings, and he scored 49 in the other - and 15-year-old Eales was unbeaten on 45. Simon Boorah (25) and Joe Stretton (24) were also in the runs.

In reply, Jonathan Brook (2-24) dismissed Kerala openers Lalu Antony (20) and Rakesh Janardhanan (14) before Stretton ripped out the rest of the top order.

He bowled Jithin John and Jino Gregory before trapping Harikrishnan Korasseril leg before for a duck as Kerala slipped to 62-5.

Linson Poulose, batting at No 8, was prominent in a Kerala recovery as they progressed from 75-7 and 114-8 to 150-8.

But Boorah - the eighth bowler Portsmouth used - clean bowled Poulose in cleaning up the tail with 3-25 from 5.1 overs.

Kerala, helped by 16 wides, were finally dismissed for 151.

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Burridge included three members of their ladies team in the final 4th XI fixture of the men’s Hampshire District League campaign.

And Ceri Harris, Katie Harris and Emily Roberts were all among the wickets as Ampfield & North Baddesley claimed a two-wicket Regional L success.

Ceri bagged 4-24 off her seven overs, while Katie and Emily - who shared the new ball between them - returned 2-24 and 1-26 respectively.

Asked to chase 144 for victory, Ampfield were given a fine start by openers Andy Wales and J Khan (45).

Wales (51 not out) retired after reaching his half-century, including 10 boundaries.

Burridge opener Andy Hallett top scored with 37 but his side nosedived from 54-1 to 93-6 before eventually reaching 143-9 (including 21 wides).

It was Burridge’s sixth successive HDL loss, with one game also rained off.

In the same division, Burridge 3rds were also beaten by Knight’s Valley.

But not before tailender James Lamerton had threatened to produce a sensational innings to give his side an unexpected win.

Chasing Valley’s 163-7 total, Burridge were in disarray at 65-7 and then 97-8 with opening bowler Mo Guzari taking 4-20 off eight overs.

Burridge lost their ninth wicket at 105 before Chloe Hulse walked to the wicket to join No 9 Lamerton.

He proceeded to dominate a last-wicket stand worth 40, with Hulse’s contribution six not out.

Lamerton was just one short of his half-century when his wicket fell on 145 to give Valley an 18-run success.

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Sarisbury 3rds’ final Regional L game ended in a nine-wicket trouncing by Trojans 2nds.

Gary Dhaliwal bagged 4-17 off seven overs as Sarisbury were bowled out for 102 - Stephen Loakes (29) top scoring.

Jason Allmark struck early when Trojans replied, but that was Sarisbury’s sole wicket as Ed Boyd (55 not out) guided his side to victory with more than 20 overs in hand.