Saunders bags four as P & S remain in top spot
Skipper Ben Saunders ran through the South Wilts 2nds tail as Portsmouth & Southsea maintained their 100 per cent start to the Southern Premier League season.
Bringing himself into the attack as third change, Saunders bagged four of the last five wickets to fall as Wilts wilted from 80-4 to 102 all out.
He ended with 4-23 as P & S completed a 68-run victory that sees them 10 points clear of Langley Manor and Sway at the top of the fourth tier table.
P & S had been reduced to 99-6 after Saunders had chosen to bat in Salisbury. But No7 Maxwell Goddard (30) and No 9 Dean Lee (25 not out) raised the total to 170.
Openers Shaun Briggs and Matt Benfield both hit 26 but Jack Davies - after scores of 112 not out, 101 not out, 50 not out, 73 not out and 91 not out in a row - was dismissed for just eight. As a result, he now averages just 235.5 in league, friendly and cup action this year!
Jubin Karippai struck a half-century as Gosport chased over 200 to beat Paultons.
Coming in at No 6 with Borough 124-2 chasing 216 for victory, the former Kerala player – with a Hampshire League third ton tier to his name in 2021 - hit seven fours and three sixes in a 45-ball 58.
He was the dominant partner in an 85-run stand for the fifth wicket with Scott Taylor (47 not out) as Gosport won by five wickets.
St Lucian bowler Tyrel Chicot had earlier removed three of the Paultons top four, but his wickets came at a cost - finishing with 3-69 off 10 overs.
Opener Paul Longland and No 7 Scott Dawes both struck 50 as the hosts recovered from 91-4 to post 215-8.