Hampshire 50+ A vs Surrey 50+ A
Thurs 21 May 2009 at Liphook
Southern Counties Championship

Hampshire 211-6
Surrey 206-9
Hampshire won by 5 runs

The Seniors A X1, playing their first ever league fixture, took part in a close run finish when they entertained Surrey at Liphook. Mercurial skipper Pat Wickson won the toss and elected to bat against a Surrey team including Charles Colville, Sky Sports legendary cricket pundit.

Openers Tony Adams and Colin Handley made a steady start putting on 55 for the first wicket before Handley (24) was bowled by Freeman in the 17th over. Trevor Foreman, promoting himself up the order, then joined Adams taking the score to 134 before being caught by Colville for a well constructed 39 runs. Andy Donaghue (0) and Guy Clifford (4) soon followed, all victims of Freeman who finished with 4-22 from his 9 over spell. Barry Newton and Adams accelerated the scoring rate before a tiring Adams (68) was bowled in the 40th over. Newton (27*) aided by Darryl Osborne (12) and Wickson (5*) saw the Seniors innings close at 211-6.

In reply Surrey lost openers Furner (11) and Earl (8) to Osborne before Reedman and Freeman took the score to 72 for the 3rd wicket. Skipper Wickson introduced himself into the attack and immediately mesmerised Freeman (18) into giving away his wicket. However Surrey, boosted by a spate of extras from the Seniors bowlers were well on target for victory. Colville (15) departed, bowled by Andy Yorke who then took a smart catch to dismiss the Surrey captain Munday (13) off the bowling of Newton. Reynolds (5) then proceeded to run himself out but at 190-6 in the 39th over with Reedman and Thom at the wicket Surrey seemed in total control. Enter Wickson once again to weave his magic as Reedman (67) completely lost his head and was stumped by Paul Bailey. Yorke dismissed Thom (11) and Burke (0) leaving Surrey requiring 11 runs to win off the last over. Despite dropping a dolly return catch – “blinded by the setting sun” – the skipper kept his composure as the Seniors staggered to a 5 run victory.

The A team’s next fixture is friendly vs Somerset at Ellingham on Sunday 24 May 2009.

Dick Batchelor - Scorer