OT’s and Romsey made the trip up the M3 to take on Hook and Newnham Basics CC in the Southern Premier League Division 2 clash on Saturday July 15.

Despite heavy overnight rain the pitch being passed as playable by the umpires and with the prospect of further showers forecast the OT’s skipper Charlie King having won the toss he had no hesitation putting Hook into bat. 

Predictably batting wasn’t easy and Hakim Peruzi made the initial breakthrough when he trapped James Waterson LBW for 5 with only 11 runs on the board. Daniel Moore and Oliver James batted watchfully and progressed the score to 55 before Matt Bampton struck to remove Daniel Moore for 31 and shortly afterwards he dismissed Oliver James for 27 to reduce Hook to 66 for 3. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and further wickets for spinners Joe Vaughan and 2 for Rob Newman reduced Hook to 127 for 7 after 40 overs.

Hook youngsters Manny Lumsden and Ollie Webster came together for the eighth wicket and the pair ran particularly well between the wickets to add an unbroken 44 run partnership which lifted the total to 171 for 7 from 50 overs.

Further rain meant a target for OT’s of 151 from 39 overs.

Openers Charlie King and Joe Vaughan started on the front foot and punished anything loose from the Hook bowlers. The pair had 50 runs on the board in only the 7th over of their reply. Shortly after bring up the century opening stand in the 19th over Charlie King was clean bowled by Charlie Bland for 48 with the score on 104. New batsmen Richard Blake joined Joe Vaughan at the crease and runs continued to flow. Despite trying 6 different bowlers Hook were unable to gain any further breakthroughs.

Joe Vaughan passed his 50 with his seventh four past square leg and he ended on 66 not out from 83 balls. Richard Blake finished undefeated on 21 as OT’s finished on 151 for 1 wicket with more than 10 overs to spare.

The victory cemented OT’s position in second place in the league table behind leaders Waterlooville and next up is a home fixture against Fair Oak on Saturday July 22 at the Bypass ground (Romsey Rapids) commencing at 12.30pm. Admission is free and all spectators are welcome.