Supporting Hampshire Seniors should carry a Government Health Warning as yet again their followers were subjected to a cliff hanger at Cheltenham where the Seniors secured their place in the ECB 50+ quarter final by the narrowest of margins against West Country rivals, Gloucester. 

Winning the toss and batting, the opening duo of Barry Goodman (28) and Ian Britton (34) made another positive start with an opening stand of 74 before Goodman was run out. Britton soon followed and following the departure of Mike Swain (20) and Martin Hall (13) the Seniors looked in some trouble at 125-4 after 29 overs. However skipper Alan Wright (29) and Paul Kerley steadied the ship. Kerley batted sublimely scoring 78 off 60 balls before being caught on the boundary in the last over – his dismissal being the first of a hattrick by Courtney off the last 3 balls of the innings ( a rare event!!) – the Seniors closing on 240 all out.

In reply, Gloucester made comfortable progress and always seemed in control as Johnson (63) and Windaybank (58) took them to 164-3 off 32 overs. The Hampshire bowlers struggled to contain their opponents and several opportunities went begging. Skipper Wright then played his joker, introducing Goodman who immediately trapped the dangerous Price (30) with his first ball. Thereafter the Gloucester batsmen were on the back foot as he and Jim Smallbone bowled in tandem to significantly reduce the run rate.

Gloucester needed 21 runs from the last two overs with former County player Partridge at the wicket – 13 runs from the last over – surely Hampshire had the game in the bag! Goodman bowling – Partridge hits a superb 6 to deep long off from the 2^nd ball – 2 balls remaining with 3 runs required. Mark Tiplady holds on to a fine catch on the boundary and the tension is unbearable. Partridge facing and Gloucester go for a suicidal third run to win the game. The cool head of skipper Wright, with a precise return to ‘keeper Hall  secures the run out – victory, and jubilant scenes from the Hampshire faithful.

Another game to remember - we now await the draw for the Quarter Final.

 Report by Dick Batchelor.

  Scoreboard details here