Walker won't rest on his laurels despite Havant heroics

Walker’s men are joint top of the early standings with title rivals South Wilts after a 70-run success over Bashley (Rydal) at Havant Park.

For the second successive game, Walker (64) top scored for his side.

But the new skipper is not getting carried away with his fine start to the campaign.

He said: ‘I am pleased with my own form – it’s always nice to contribute.

‘But cricket can be a fickle game – you have to enjoy it while you are in good form!

‘At the moment it is me but at some point it will be somebody else who is putting their hand up and delivering.

‘It is very rewarding at the moment and Saturday was a big team effort.’

Walker paid tribute to Havant’s batsmen with all of the top five getting in the runs, with fellow opener Pete Hopson (63) just one behind the skipper as Chris Stone (25), Andrew Gorvin (44) and Stuart Ransley (46) helped steer the hosts to 281 for six.

It was a lead Walker was always confident they would defend.

He said: ‘The guys in the middle pushed us on to that big score of 281, which we were always confident with the group of bowlers we have that we could defend.

‘Pete worked really hard and got us off to a good start and scored the majority of the runs early on.

‘Both Gorvs and Stuie worked fantastically well in the middle and even Chris Stone who came in at three helped give us the impetus with a quick fire 25.

‘We bowled economically up front and then chipped away with wickets which came at good times for us.

‘It was nice to get the win and to pick up 22 points again was a real bonus – it’s been a good start.’

Burridge also made it two wins from two in the premier division as they outclassed Alton to win by 114 runs.

Lee Savident (61), Dan Hewitt (57) and Geoff Dods (56) all made half-centuries as the hosts posted an unreachable total of 291 for nine.

Despite the best efforts of Tom Friend (78), Ventnor were beaten for the second weekend running, as they slipped to a five-wicket loss against St Cross Symondians.

There was better news for Sarisbury Athletic in division one, though, as they recorded an emphatic nine-wicket win at Hook & Newnham Basics.

Basil Akram was the star of the show as he struck a superb unbeaten knock of 109.