Gareth’s so close to ton

Gareth Ransley was agonisingly close to his fifth Havant century in a 214-run hammering of Hampshire League Division 5 South East strugglers Old Netley & Highfield 3rds.

He was in sight of his first ton since 2014 when he was bowled by Tim Rolfe for 99.

Havant rattled up 258-5 at Hayling Park against a team who only had nine players - and two of them, Steve and James Cocks, had been ‘loaned’ to them by Havant in order to ensure the game went ahead.

The visitors were then skittled for just 34.

It was only the third time in 11 matches that Old Netley had actually played, having lost four games to bad weather and also failing to raise a side on four other occasions.

Havant, who only fielded 10 players themselves, won the toss and elected to bat.

Ollie Perkins (3) was out in the second over, caught off the bowling of Alison Burgess (3-28).

Himanshu Chandra (25) followed soon after - bowled by Burgess to leave Havant 42-2.

Gareth Ransley, above, came to the crease to join his brother Andrew and the Havant innings really got going.

The pair shared a 192-run stand for the third wicket before Andrew was caught and bowled by Steve Cocks for 70.

In reply, Jake Nicholas (1-9) struck in the third over and wickets tumbled regularly thereafter with only opener Steve Lowe (15) reaching double figures.

Danielle Ransley (2-3), Nick Bennet (2-9) and Tom Rait (2-9) also picked up cheap wickets as Old Netley’s ninth - and last - wicket fell in the 15th over.