Sat 3rd May 25: 1st XI stumble against strong Andover side, 2nd XI fall short in close contest, but 4th XI shine with commanding win 💪✨
📰 1st XI vs Andover CC – Southern Premier League | Division 2
Result: Lost by 92 runs
Newly relegated Andover proved to be a formidable opponent as Portsmouth & Southsea’s 1st XI suffered a heavy defeat in their opening league fixture.
After being asked to bowl first, P&S made steady inroads as wickets fell at regular intervals. Jake Peach, Max Goddard, Felix Stanley, and Ben Saunders shared the wickets, but Andover’s Babu Veettil made the difference with a blistering 66 from 44 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. His counterattack propelled the hosts to 209 all out, with Hooper (42) adding crucial late runs.
Veettil wasn’t finished there as he returned with the ball to deliver a match defining spell of 10 overs 4 maidens 5-19. Supported by Aidan Jansen (3-19), P&S were reduced to 28 for 6 in just 11 overs. Tom Wheeler’s excellent maiden Southern League half century (50 off 57 balls) was the only highlight in a defiant lower order stand that saw the team finish on 117.
There were full bowling points earned, a small silver lining from a tough outing against strong opposition.
📰 2nd XI vs Shanklin & Godshill CC – Hampshire Cricket League | Division 3B
Result: Lost by 5 wickets
Despite posting a strong total, Portsmouth & Southsea’s 2nd XI fell short against Shanklin & Godshill in a high scoring affair.
P&S batted first and were anchored by a superb century from Oliver Smith, who made 100 off 121 balls. He was well supported by Sanka Purna (50 off 49), as the side compiled a competitive 248 for 9 from 45 overs. Ben White led the damage for the visitors with a sharp spell of 5 for 56.
In reply, Shanklin & Godshill chased down the total with just one over to spare. Harry Collier was the match winner, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 93, supported by quick contributions from Olly Niemiec (50) and Tom Quaife (35). Jurie De Villiers and Purna took a wicket each, but the bowlers were unable to slow the momentum in key phases.
A narrow defeat, but plenty of positives - maximum batting points & Ollie Smith’s outstanding maiden ton.
📰 4th XI vs Havant CC 3rd XI – Hampshire Cricket League | Division 6H
Result: Won by 73 runs
The 4th XI got off to a winning start with a dominant all round performance against Havant’s 3rd XI.
Batting first, P&S posted 148, with useful middle order runs from Josh Betley (33), Louie De Bohan (19), and Syed Rahman (34). Despite regular wickets, the team showed resilience throughout the innings.
The defence was outstanding. Ryan Clarke (8 Overs 4 Maidens 1 - 12) and Harrison Milne (6 Overs 2 Maidens 0 - 13) built pressure early, before Betley took control with a remarkable 6 over spell that yielded 4 wickets for just 7 runs. Gulliver Bailey chipped in with 2 key scalps as Havant were dismissed for just 75 in 31.1 overs.
A convincing 73 run win backed by tight bowling, sharp fielding (three run outs), and solid team spirit to open the season.