OT’s moved back into second place in the Southern Premier League Division 2 following their comprehensive win over Sparsholt at the Romsey Bypass Ground on Saturday July 1.

Sparsholt won the toss and had no hesitation asking OT’s to bat first in overcast conditions. After recovering from his recent shoulder injury, Joe Vaughan returned to open the batting with skipper Charlie King.

In the face of accurate bowling from the Sparsholt bowlers, Joe and Charlie took the score to 65 before Charlie was caught at slip off the bowling of Osman Akbar for nine. New batsmen Richard Blake was soon snapped up by a smart catch at point for seven runs. 

The arrival of Harry Tulk at the crease to join Joe Vaughan who had just brought up his fifty with a lofted cover drive added impetus to the Romsey innings. The pair took the total from 84 for 2 to 144 before Harry departed for a rapid 41 from only 34 deliveries, Harry being clean bowled by spinner Joel Eastwood. The next batsmen Rob Newman had made 12 before being caught and bowled by Rob Foy.

Elliot Ponting joined Joe Vaughan at the crease and the pair added 64 together, during which time Joe completed his century with a quick single to mid off. Elliot holed out off the bowling of Rob Foy for 24 with the score on 221. Hakim Peruzi perished for six in the hunt for quick runs, before Vikram Dawson struck three fours in his 17 not out to help Joe take the total to 260 for 6 in their 50 overs. Joe Vaughan carried his bat for an undefeated 117 from 143 deliveries including 11 boundaries.

Sparsholt made a bad start to their reply when Tom Berzins was adjudged LBW for two off the bowling of Hakim Peruzi with only four runs on the board. Sparsholt struggled for runs against some accurate OT’s bowling and lost wickets at regular intervals. Matt Bampton picked up two wickets for 28 runs from his ten overs and Vikram Dawson finished with 3 for 25 from his allowed overs. Only Usman Akram with a patient 50, offered any resistance as Sparsholt were dismissed for 152 with Rob Newman mopping up the tail with 3 for 22 from his seven overs.

The 108 run victory means OT’s moved above Portsmouth & Southsea in the table and are second behind Waterlooville.  OT’s take on fourth placed Langley Manor on Saturday July 8 at the Bypass Ground. 

Please come along and support your local team, there are bar facilities in the clubhouse and admission is free.