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SPCL 1 - Heavy weather could see trouble for weekend fixtures
Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo) - 30 May 2002
Bashley (Rydal) bid to step up the pressure on the ECB Southern Electric Premier League leaders with a third successive win in the last of the initial round of 50-over Division 1 matches at Bournemouth.
But like leaders Andover, who visit Burridge, their ambitions could be thwarted by a saturated ground. Bournemouth's low lying Chapel Gate square and Burridge's notoriously wet outfield at Botley Road suffered badly from the recent heavy rain.
Both clubs reported 'heavy going' grounds earlier this week, but were both optimistic that, with favourable drying conditions and no overnight rain, tomorrow's matches could go ahead.
"We are putting a tremendous amount of work into getting the game on, but it rather depends on what comes down from above," said Burridge team manager Barry Williams.
"In contrast to Bournemouth, whose square is very wet, our outfield is the problem. It is saturated," he said.
Burridge are without top-order pair Paul Hawkins and Neil Cunningham, the latter's absence being attributed to him attending a Westlife concert!
Andover, in turn, have former skipper Jerry Hayward back as a ready replacement for workaholic Rose Bowl groundsman Mark Miller.
Andover start the last of five limited-overs matches with a slender four-point advantage over Havant, whose home match against Calmore Sports is virtually certain to go ahead.
But Andover skipper Roger Miller knows that Bashley, who have climbed into third spot on the back of two fine wins, are the team that need some watching.
"They've got it together in the past two weeks and, with their top order batsmen now scoring runs, ought to put a useful string of results together," he warned.
Bashley, who have nailed Havant and Burridge in the past fortnight, are without Shaun Lilley for the awkward visit to Bournemouth, who recall Somerset hopeful Tom Webley for the west region Chapel Gate derby.
"Bournemouth will be buzzing after beating BAT Sports last week," said Bashley skipper Neil Taylor. "But we're playing well enough now to go there and beat them."
But Swarbrick, who plays for Dorset in a three-day Minor Counties Championship match at Corsham on Sunday, knows Bashley provide demanding opposition.
"They are always a difficult team to beat, as they have a strong batting line up with Neil Thurgood, Andy Sexton and, of course, Luke Ronchi.
"Their bowling can always win games for them as well, but our game plan will be to try and stop the top three playing their shots, which may prove difficult anyway on a damp surface.
"Trying to dictate the pace of the game - as we did against BAT - will be key, I think.
"Beating someone like BAT will give the younger lads in our side the confidence to compete at this level and make Bournemouth a hard team to beat this year," Swarbrick added.
Havant line up against Calmore Sports without either Paul Gover or Mark Copping, who also miss Sunday's re-arranged ECB Club Championship tie with Bashley (Rydal).
Calmore, who sneaked a tense one-run win against Liphook & Ripsley last week, are without their captain and opening batsman Tom Pegler. Clive Surry expects to take the reins, with Stuart Bailey behind the stumps.
Champions BAT Sports, beaten twice in the past three weeks, need to bowl with much more accuracy if they are to keep their crown intact.
"We are bowling far too many wides," fumed BAT skipper Dave Banks after watching the champions' send down a staggering 70 wides and no-balls in the opening four games.
The title holders visit Portsmouth without Dave Adams, whose place goes to Hampshire Under-16s all-rounder Ricky Rawlins, son of the BAT legend.
A long-term back injury may have ended Doug Bellchamber's season, leaving highly rated youngster Naqeeb Ali Mohammed the Portsmouth new ball.
With Tim Lamb available for the first time this season, South Wilts take a full strength team to Liphook & Ripsley, who are strengthened by the return from injury of Jerry Bulled and Michael Smyth.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Roger Miller, Thomas Webley, Neil Taylor, Matthew Swarbrick, Neil Thurgood, Andrew Sexton, Luke Ronchi, Paul Gover, David Banks, Timothy Lamb. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |