Six of the best for Jack – but rock bottom Purbrook lose again

Gosport Borough’s Jack Richards collected career best figures as his side claimed a dramatic Southern Premier League Division 3 win win against Langley Manor.

Chasing 128 for victory, Langley were well placed on 76-3 at Privett Park. But the innings changed when Richards dismissed top scorer James Purnell (26).

From there, Langley reached 106-5 - and promptly lost their last five wickets for nine runs, Richards ending with 6-13. That beat his previous best of 6-23, against Lymington 2nds four years ago.

Richards had earlier played a major role with the bat as well. Coming in at No 11, he hit 14 not out in a last wicket stand of 31 with Sampath Prathapasinghe (11). Opener Mark Toogood (20) top scored with the bat, but 31 wides contributed to a total of 34 extras. And, in such a tight game, Langley were left to rue conceding them.

Purbrook remain rooted to the foot of the table after a fifth straight loss, this time by four wickets to Paultons.

Sameen Mahboob (26) and skipper Sean Figgins (22) were the only two batters in the top order to score more than 10 after Purbrook had been inserted. No 9 Jahanzeb Habib - 32 off 25 balls with three sixes and two fours hoisted their total to 161 all out (extras 31).

Paul Longland (64) and Ben Rogers (34) put on 74 for the first wicket when Paultons replied. And though three wickets then tumbled for seven runs, the visitors clinched victory in the 42nd over.

*Former England Test all-rounder Rikki Clarke travelled to Hayling Island in Division 2 of the Hampshire League on the back of hitting a double century.

Clarke’s 226 for Shrewton against Bashley 3rds was the 10th highest individual score in HL history. He followed that up with 41 off 49 balls as the Wiltshire-based visitors amassed 206-9 after being inserted.

Clarke inflicted further damage with the ball, removing opener Mike Hallett (8) and Lijani Cherry (0) in successive balls.

Richard Poole (9) and Flynn Powell (6) took the score to 38-2, before a spectacular collapse saw Hayling lose seven wickets for eight runs.

Shaun Little ended with 4-17 as the hosts were routed for 57 - of which 17 were wides.