Davies stars as Portsmouth & Southsea keep their Southern Premier League double dream alive

Jack Davies hit an unbeaten 90 in Portsmouth & Southsea's T20 Plate semi-final win against Rowledge. Picture: Keith Woodland

Davies struck an unbeaten 90 as P & S held their nerve for a five-run victory to book a final date with Fair Oak at St James’ Hospital this Sunday.

P & S are in with a chance of two trophies in as many days as they also host Bashley 2nds on Saturday in the grand final of the SPL Division 2/Division 3 cup.

While P & S pipped Liphook to win the East group, Bashley were topping the West table.

Against Rowledge, Davies opened the innings and was still there at the close after a 61-ball innings had produced 10 fours and three sixes.

He accounted for 61 per cent of his side’s 147-6 total, with Tom Benfield (21) the only other player in double figures after skipper Ben Saunders had won the toss and elected to bat first.

In reply, P & S opening bowlers Jake Peach and Keiron Dunstan both bagged two wickets as Rowledge dipped to 36-4.

Peach (3-20) dismissed openers Jonty Sebborn (10) and Ricky Yates (4) while Dunstan (2-32) accounted for David Lloyd - stumped by Alex Davidson - and Will Ryman.

Jake Wish top scored with 40 before he became Peach’s third victim.

Rowledge still needed 19 to win when their ninth wicket fell, but captain Ben Wish and Ryan Martin were in no mood to give up easily.

Wicket-keeper Harry Read was Fair Oak’s batting hero in their nailbiting semi-final victory over Andover.

After Andover had been bowled out for 97, Oak collapsed to 26-5 and 39-6.

They looked a beaten side on 67-8 and still needed 12 runs when their ninth wicket fell at 86.

But Reed, batting at No 8, hit an unbeaten 26 - the second top score after Greig Stewart’s 30 - as Oak sneaked home by one wicket with two balls remaining.