66 wides and 80 extras as Purbrook triumph
Fareham & Crofton 4ths bowlers delivered an astonishing total of wides in their Hampshire League Division 6 South East loss to Purbrook 3rds.
Purbrook’s 260-4 total was boosted by no fewer than 80 extras, including 66 wides! Sam Brown (68) top scored with the bat before F & C slumped from 66-3 to 98 all out, losing by a 162-run total.
Improbably, extras was the top score as well in the F & C reply, with 23 wides in a total of 41 extras. Steve Dean (18) top scored with the bat.
Portsmouth Community continued their unbeaten start with a five-wicket victory over Denmead - their fourth straight league win.
Ninad Gokhale took 3-11 - including the key wicket of skipper Paul Charlton off the final ball of his spell, brilliantly caught one handed at slip by John Creamer.
Craig Skeggs (30) top scored for Denmead but Jack Whiteaway (3-39) and Rob Cusack (3-7) helped dismiss them for 120.
Skipper Creamer (30) and opening partner Mike Bristow (20) gave Community a strong platform. But Denmead were left to rue failing to make early inroads, dropping a number of catches off both players.
Community did wobble in their chase but Whiteaway (20 not out) capped a fine all-round display by steering them home in the 35th over.
Andy Longhorn (20) was the only batter in double figures as Hayling Island 3rds collapsed to 62 all out to lose by 116 runs at home to Froxfield 2nds.
Vas Balasundaram bagged 3-9 off eight overs as Hayling asked to chase 179 for victory - sagged to 11-4. Pete Rowson’s eight was second highest.