Cricket round-up: Pre-season centuries for Waterlooville, Havant and Fareham & Crofton batsmen

The opening bat notched up an unbeaten 107 off 106 balls with 17 boundaries in a friendly against Sussex club Littlehampton, Clapham & Patching.

It was a career best, beating his 102 for Ville in a friendly against Bedhampton Mariners five years ago.

But his efforts were in vain as Ville fell three runs short of matching their hosts’ 250-5 total.

None of the top order could hang around long to give Verma much support, until No 6

Sam Robinson belted 48 off 43 balls before he was run out

Earlier, Chris Parker (2-26 off five overs) was the most successful of seven bowlers used by Ville skipper Archie Reynolds.

In the end, the difference could be measured in wides 17 wides.

Those were crucial as Ville fell just three runs short in their chase.

Dan Wimble cracked a boundary strewn 104 not out to set up Fareham & Crofton’s 59-run victory over Premier Division 3 new boys Hook & Newnham Basics – but the win came at a cost.

Opening bowler Ben White broke three bones in his right thumb trying to take a return catch low down and could miss the opening two months of the Hampshire League season.

On a positive note, Wimble was in great form, playing himself in before unleashing six sixes and 11 fours in an unbeaten century.

Opening partner Tom Kent, the captain, made a more subdued 61 before he also retired.

James Headen took 4-49 as Hook were dismissed for 195 (Rhodes Franklin 72).

Wimble completed a fine all-round display, only bowling 10 balls but still ending up with 2-4.

Fareham & Crofton host Gosport Borough this Saturday (1pm).

There were two centurions as Havant enjoyed a pre-season run-fest against Chichester Park Priory.

The club stalwart retired on exactly 100 after hitting 18 boundaries in his 86-ball ton - the ninth century of a prolific Havant career.

New signing George Metzger also reached three figures on only his second appearance for the club.

The former Hampshire Academy wicket-keeper batsman struck an unbeaten 104, with 14 fours and a six, sharing a 117-run second-wicket stand with Hopson.

That allowed Havant to post 284-7 from their 40 overs, with Chichester restricted to 193-4 (Simon Hasted 68, Matt Bennison 30, Sean Dobbs 28 not out).

Andy Galliers (57) and Stuart Loat (39) put on 99 for the first Havant wicket in the 2nds’ victory over Chichester.

Havant posted 204-6 before Noel Baiju, the fifth bowler used, took 3-17 off nine overs to help restrict Chichester to 143-8.

Portsmouth & Southsea bowlers endured some pre-season punishment against Pagham - but still won a last-ball thriller.

Ryan Barrett smashed nine sixes in his unbeaten 108 as the Sussex club rattled up 257-5 in their 40 overs.

Opening bowlers Jake Peach (7-1-58-0) and Jono Willey (8-0-53-0) conceded over a century of runs between them, while Matt Benfield’s four overs cost 39.

But Benfield then strapped on his pads to top score with 75 as P & S produced a morale-boosting run chase.

Opening partner Jack Davies struck 59, but it was No 3 Ollie Kanavan who was the eventual match winner.

With the scores level, Kanavan (61 not out) hit the final ball of the encounter to the boundary to seal his side’s four-wicket victory,

P & S host Waterlooville at St James this Saturday.

Jacob Harris turned in a fine all-round display as Gosport Borough defeated Hursley Park by 28 runs.

Ollie Creal (58) and Denzel James (28) opened with 68 before Harris, coming in at No 4, hit 44 to help Borough total 171-6.

Harris then returned figures of 8-3-14-4 as Hursley slumped from 120-4 to 141 all out.

Charlie Creal, the sixth bowler used by skipper Lee Harrop, took 3-25.