🏏 Match Report – Portsmouth & Southsea CC (Weekend Roundup)
1st XI vs Liphook & Ripsley CC – Won by 31 runs
- P&S 1st XI: 262/9 (50 overs) Won and batted first
- Liphook & Ripsley 1st XI: 231 all out (46.3 overs)
- Points: 22 pts
After winning the toss and electing to bat, P&S 1st XI put together a competitive 262/9 from their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a superb 94 from Ned Rockett and a powerful 84 from Matt Benfield, whose 75-ball knock included 16 boundaries. Despite a late collapse, a quickfire 12* from Malik Azwar helped push the total beyond 260.
In response, Liphook & Ripsley’s chase was kept in check despite a blistering 89 from George Neave. Matt Benfield capped off an excellent all-round day with 3/46, supported by Jake Peach (3/37) and Ben Saunders (2/41), bowling the opposition out for 231 in the 47th over.
2nd XI – Convincing 63-run Win vs Solent Rangers
- P&S 2nd XI: 282/9 (45 overs)
- Solent Rangers 1st XI: 219 all out (36.5 overs) Won toss & chose to field
- Points: 24 pts
Batting first, P&S 2nd XI racked up a commanding 282/9, thanks to James White’s unbeaten 64* and half-centuries from Harrison Whitworth (59) and Sanka Purna (57). Contributions throughout the top order helped build pressure on the Rangers’ bowling, with Nysil Joy (3/41) offering some resistance.
Solent Rangers were always behind the rate and were eventually bowled out for 219. Sanka Purna was lethal with the ball too, claiming 3/11 in a superb spell, while Henry Ferrett chipped in with 2/36 to seal the win.
3rd XI – Last-Wicket Thriller! 1-Wicket Win vs Fareham & Crofton
- Fareham & Crofton 2nd XI: 207 all out (41.1 overs) Won toss and batted
- P&S 3rd XI: 208/9 (44.4 overs)
- Points: 23 pts
In a nail-biter, the 3rd XI chased down 208 with just one wicket remaining. The visitors had earlier made 207, largely thanks to Richard Thomas’ 60 and some late hitting. Louie De Bohan was the standout with the ball for P&S, picking up 4/26.
In the chase, Sesh Nadathur’s steady 67 set the platform. But regular wickets meant the game went down to the wire. With 10 needed and only one wicket in hand, Ben Hallatt (17*) and Ryan Clarke (5*) held their nerve to clinch a tense and thrilling win.
4th XI – Battled Hard in Defeat vs Portchester CC
- P&S 4th XI: 173/9 (40 overs) Won toss & batted first
- Porchester 1st XI: 174/6 (29.3 overs)
- Points: 8 pts
Despite a middle-order revival, the 4th XI fell to a 4-wicket defeat. A fine 58 from Dale Mattison and 40 from Neil Miles lifted P&S to 173/9 in their 40 overs after a tough start. Ananya Pandey (3/8) and Neil Smith (4/32) caused early damage.
In defence, Sam Bertenshaw and Harrison Etherington both picked up two wickets, and Dan Cross took a key scalp. But a blistering 61 from Pandey and 45* from Sharon Tauro saw Portchester chase the target in 29.3 overs.
🏆 Performers of the Week:
- Matt Benfield – 84 runs & 3 wickets
- Ned Rockett – Falling Agonisingly Short of a Century
- Sanka Purna – 57 runs & 3 wickets
- Sesh Nadathur – 67 runs
- Louie De Bohan – 4/26
- Dale Mattison – 58
- Ben Hallatt & Ryan Clarke – A Last Wicket Partnership Steering The 3’s To Victory