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Marvellous Midhurst celebrate - despite last-game defeat
Midhurst were beaten by Ryde in a hard-fought title decider for Hampshire League division two – but they were celebrating anyway as they still clinched promotion.
N Drysdale was well caught by Geoff Smith off Chris May. Tim Powell bowled J Miller for two, the first of five victims. The second was Ryde keeper Wilson for 14.
Sean Kearney and Julian Goodale slowed the run rate, with Holliday bowled by Kearney's guile for nine.
Goodale was unlucky not to get a wicket but he did not allow Ryde any leeway.
Tolfrey was bowled by Powell and at one stage Ryde were 60 for six, but were rescued by a battling 65 from T Morgan to make 191 for eight.
Simon Lush and Mike Goodwin again laid a great foundation for Midhurst with a stand of 66 before Lush was caught for 23.
Regular wickets helped Ryde to put pressure on the middle and late order after Goodwin was caught for a fine 70, which took him past 600 runs this sumnmer, and only Sam Cussins (22) and Julian Goodale (18) provided resistance as Midhurst were bundled out for 178.
Midhurst secured nine points – sufficient for promotion, even though the title was Ryde's.
Skipper Kearney is delighted with the effort the team has shown throughout the season and said the team had played as a strong unit all summer.
He paid Tim Powell the highest accolade for equalling the division's wicket-taking record.
Bosham v Portsmouth & Southsea
Portsmouth & Southsea clinched a title that for much of the summer had been in Bosham's sights.
Bosham had lost their last three games and went in to this game with only pride to play for.
The frailties of recent weeks were on display as the top order struggled to score runs. Four of the top five didn't make double figures.
Mark Allen offered glimpses he would build an innings but when he was caught for 35, Bosham were 75 for five.
Sam Gilliatt top-scored with 38 and was supported by Henderson (12) and English (13), but Portsmouth & Southsea remained on top. Dean Wilson was pick of the bowlers, returning five for 33.
Set a target of 150 to win the game and the title, Southsea started nervously.
Dan Cleary was clean-bowled by Tom Gilliatt and Owen Jones soon met with the same fate.
Bosham captain Martin Farrell removed opposite number Sean Kanavan and Andy Hellier.
At 35 for four the visitors were wobbling, and Simon Smith and Matt Smith decided to dig in.
They built a partnership of 30 before Simon Smith was caught by Dave English.
Matt Smith picked off valuable runs, including a six over mid-on, as Southsea made progress.
Despite the loss of two more wickets, Smith remained calm and scampered the winning runs with two balls remaining. The win guaranteed Southsea the title, while Bosham slipped to sixth.
Midhurst II v Linkenholt
Midhurst secured their place in regional division one north with a tense win in the last match.
It was just reward for the efforts of the players and a tribute to a good team spirit. Batting first in a match they needed to win, David Hamilton-Fox and Greg West's partnership moved towards 100.
Hamilton-Fox was out for 37, but Tom Atkins joined West and the score reached 118.
As both West, for a solid 49, and Atkins perished, the middle order collapsed.
Midhurst's younger players – Harry Green, Ryan Lewis and Henry Luxton – massaged the score to a more respectable level and Midhurst finally subsided for 152.
Linkenholt took the score to 52 without loss before a Tom Atkins catch and two Adrian Ashman wickets brought Midhurst back into it and they went on to win by ten runs.
They can reflect on a season in which a number of youngsters have had experience of league cricket – and there's much hope for the future.
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
