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SPCL 3 - Brewster lifts Flamingo in nail-biter
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 9 June 2002
Kevin Brewster halted a potential batting collapse and hit a match-winning 77 as Flamingo squeezed a nail-biting two-wicket Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 over Hartley Wintney at The Holt.
The Swaythling youngster arrived at the crease with Flamingo's rocking at 11-4 after 15 overs and in need of a major upturn in fortune to overhaul Hartley Wintney's 130 all out.
But, aided by timely contributions from David Breach and Saints footballer Jason Dodd, Brewster turned the match on its head.
The former Hampshire Under-17 batsman, who had earlier taken 1-24 and clung on to two fine catches, launched his rescue act after Steve Sayers (4-29) had carved major inroads into Flamingo's top order.
Brewster produced a splendid solo show, hitting 11 fours in a league-best score to swing the tide. But his demise at 116-6 prompted further panic in the camp, with Flamingo's lurching to 125-8 before a two-wicket victory was achieved.
Hartley Wintney experienced early problems too, dipping to 11-3 and 33-4 before Matt Digweed (30), Sayers (27) and Tim Lenton (23) righted the boat. Dave Wright bagged 3-27 in HW's 130 all out.
A four-wicket burst with the new ball by South African Simon Ntema and a superb unbeaten 78 by Neil Westhorpe set up Ventnor's seven-wicket victory at Havant II.
Ntema, who finished with 4-38, exploited the wet conditions and ripped out four of Havant's top five, with captain/wicketkeeper Mark Whyte clinching on to three catches.
Havant dipped to 14-4 and later 31-5 before Shaun Ferguson (22) and Simon Turner (15) began a partial fight back.
Tail end resistance, which involved some lusty hitting by Phil Mist (31), lifted Havant - and their spirits - to 118 all out, with Neil Dodds (2-35) and Dave Reynolds (2-20) achieving later breakthroughs.
Ventnor were rocking at 12-2 but Westhorpe, the former Northwood left-hander, took complete charge. He turned the match on its head with a rumbustious 78 and, with support from Ntema (18 not out), guided Ventnor to only their second win.
The other six Premier Division 3 matches were called off due to waterlogged pitches.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |