Hampshire League – County Divisions

VERWOOD won their fourth consecutive game in County Division 4 West with a comprehensive victory over visiting Fawley 2nds at Cranborne thanks to a half-century from Scott McLeonards and five wickets from Charlie Gajic.

Winning the toss Verwood elected to bat and with some fine shot making Jordan Bishop and McLeonards put on 63 for the first wicket. With Bishop out for 34, Luke Hancock carried on the attack and also made 34.

Verwood batted with purpose throughout and, after McLeonards was finally out for 62, finished on 221 for 9. The Fawley bowling attack was persistent, the pick of the bowlers being Joe Pinto (2-27).

In reply Fawley found the early overs challenging, John Driscoll (3-31) was backed up well by the unlucky Ali Gajic who had three chances put down. Some great counter attacking by Andy Cole kept the game alive, though when he fell for 42, Fawley were in need of some lower order miracles.

Len Coxall (20) and Ben Cooper (26) made progress but it was not enough as Charlie Gajic (5-27) ensured Verwood’s 80-run victory after Fawley were dismissed for 141.

Burley entertained pacesetters Winton and they paid heavily for only having ten men as they lost by eight wickets.

Craig Doick (49), James Edworthy (34) and Noman Nadir (29) scored the bulk of Burley’s runs before Ali Williams (3-29) and Charlie May (3-38) had them out for 167 off the last ball of the 45th over.

Winton lost two wickets, including Jordan Clark (38), for 64 but then Williams took the bowling apart smashing an unbeaten 81 off just 40 balls and, sharing in an unbeaten third wicket stand of 104 with John Duke (40 no), saw the visitors home in the 23rd over.

In County Division 1, Ellingham retained their good form with a five- wicket win over Bishops Waltham at Albany Road.

The home side’s first five batsmen managed just 15 runs between them as they crashed to 22-5 against Ali Redfern (3-32) and Sean Ledbetter (2-25).

Gareth Lovett (37) and Ian Budd (17) stopped the rot with a stand of 50 and then Sam Medhurst made 31 but, with wickets falling to Tom Faulkner (2-29) and Jim Edwards (2-17), they were all out for 141 in the 47th over.

After losing a couple of early wickets, Ellingham settled down with David Douse and Edwards both making 42 that ensured victory in the 46th over.