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Academy face make-or-break at Services
Mike Vimpany (as produced in the Southern Daily Echo) - 20 June 2002
The Hampshire Academy's Southern Electric Premier League promotion push reaches a crucial phase against Division 2 leaders United Services at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, tomorrow, 1pm.
It's a match the Young Hawks, in fourth place, can ill-afford to lose if their dreams of ECB Premier status next summer are to be realised.
The Academy team has already lost two of its six matches - to Rowledge and Lymington - and need a win over confident US to claw back a 14-point deficit at the top.
Hampshire 2nd XI coach Tony Middleton plans to send out his best available side, with Services likely to field the side which whipped Trojans by ten wickets last week.
Watching the outcome with great interest will be Easton & Martyr Worthy, who two points behind, take on basement boys Rowledge, who are without key all-rounders Chris and Ricky Yates.
In-form Sparsholt, who have won their last four games, expect skipper Rob Savage back at Old Tauntonians & Romsey.
Sparsholt entertain Hursley Park in The Cricketer National Village Championship county final at the Norman Edwards Memorial Ground on Sunday, 2pm.
Lymington visit struggling Trojans, while Hungerford welcome Hampshire's Jason Laney back into the fold against Winchester KS, who have called up Paul Baker.
St Cross Symondians will relish a repeat of last season's outcome when they face Alton in a Division 3 crunch game at the Royal Green Jackets ground.
"They skittled us for 69 and won by eight wickets," lamented Alton skipper Julian Ballinger.
Alton, three points behind Symondians in a tight top three, are again without influential off-spinner Matt Ireson, but John Halfacre returns.
Ben Adams is back for St Cross - replacing elder Hampshire brother Jimmy, who is in action for Loughborough University - alongside hard hitting Graham Barrett and opener Marc Rees.
Leaders Purbrook, two points ahead at the top, aim to put last week's defeat by Bashley (Rydal) behind them and restore pride at the expense of off-colour Paultons.
Bashley II plan to derail New Milton's top-table charge, while Flamingo - in a highest ever fifth spot - will do well to continue their good run against Hambledon at The Holt.
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| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |