Saunders, Vetcher and Sole are just ton-derful!
Aaron Saunders’ maiden century helped Bedhampton Mariners 2nds claim a stunning Hampshire League victory over Waterlooville 3rds
Entering the game with a previous highest score of just 30, Saunders hit an unbeaten 104 in an unbroken double century stand with opening partner Paul O’Leary.
Asked to chase 203 for victory at Bidbury Mead, Saunders and O’Leary (75 not out) knocked off the runs inside 33 overs of the Division 6 South East fixture.
Saunders - who in 2021 compiled just 30 runs in eight league innings, including four ducks - hit 17 fours and a six off 113 balls.
Earlier, Tom Vetcher had compiled his maiden century as Ville posted 202-5 in their 40 overs. Vetcher - whose previous highest score was 89 - hit 12 fours and two sixes on his way to 116, sharing a second wicket stand of 131 with Josh Quade (46).
Hayden Sole is now averaging 338 in the league after an unbeaten century helped Purbrook 3rds claim a seventh straight win.
Sole followed up scores of 84 not out, 88 not out and 62 with 104 not out as Purbrook defeated Gosport Borough 4ths by eight wickets.
But a failure to pick up maximum points saw them drop to second place on a points-per-game average, Portsmouth Community taking over top spot.
Peter Robson (57), extras (47) and Darryl Mills (36 not out) had helped Borough post 190-4.
Liam Mengham (48 not out) helped Sole add an unbroken 166 for the second Purbrook wicket.
Richard Stephens was left stranded just a boundary short of his second Petersfield century. He ended on 96 not out in a total of 2873 against Denmead - his highest score since making 104 10 years ago.
James Longland (62) and
Tom Stratford-Tuke (53 not out) were also in the runs before Denmead - who only had eight players - were routed for 79 to crash to a 208-run loss.
Michael Gravells followed up his maiden century the week before with an unbeaten 84 as Gosport 3rds thumped Portsmouth & Southsea 4ths.
Opener Ryan Grant (81) helped Gosport post 2474 before the same player bagged 4-6 as P & S were bowled out for 129 (opener Felix Stanley 50 not out).