Ticket to Ryde is a winning one for Midhurst

Ryde v Midhurst

Hampshire League division one

Midhurst held their nerve in a tense finish against Ryde, securing a victory that put them sixth in the league.

Midhurst skipper Tim Powell elected to field in what looked bowler-friendly conditions that were set to improve.

Powell opened the bowling and removed the Ryde openers with a couple of booming inswingers.

Joe Valvona was soon back in the pavilion as the consistent Chris May got a deserved breakthrough when he found the edge and wicket-keeper Nick Gregory dived to his right for a sharp catch.

At 12 for three, Ryde were on the brink of capitulation, but with captain Lawrence Tolfrey at the crease, things stabilised.

Midhurst took the pace off the ball with the introduction of Hall and Nalinda Premachandra.

Premachandra took wickets steadily throughout his stint to finish with three for 25. Hall was unlucky not to take any wickets, but he bowled economically, going for just 37 runs.

Eventually Ryde managed a meaningful partnership as No8 Tom Morgan gave his captain valuable support, and the pair took the home side to 150 for six. But with ten overs to go, skipper Tolfrey’s exemplary knock of 70 came to an end as he became Powell’s third victim.

Powell turned to impact bowler Steve May, who took two wickets for just seven runs. Ryde were bowled out for 177 and Midhurst were confident.

The reply began slowly and it wasn’t until the 12th over that opener Steve May got off the mark.

Nevertheless, chasing a relatively small total, May and Graham Braithwaite were in no rush. The two batted patiently against tight bowling from Ryde openers Granger and Routledge.

Having seen off the new ball, May and Braithwaite scored more freely before the former fell for 32 with the score on 91. Atkins and Hall followed and when Braithwaite was out for a workmanlike 51, Midhurst were 116 for four.

Captain Powell joined Simon Lush and the pair got Midhurst within 35 of victory.

Powell and Premachandra fell in quick succession leaving Midhurst 145 for six, but Ryan Lewis played a calm, match-winning knock of 23 from 15 balls including four fours, securing victory with two overs to spare.

Redlynch & Hale v Emsworth

Division four

Emsworth came home empty-handed from their trip to the Hants-Wilts border.

They elected to field first in muggy conditions. Redlynch made steady work of the bowling before Mark Martin made the first breakthrough.

Redlynch scored 221, Ian Tanner (77) and Nick Illman (54) contributing heavily.

When Emsworth batted, the bowling became harder and harder to get away in the conditions and wickets tumbled.

Redlynch & Hale had Emsworth to 112 all out inside 35 overs.

Salthill v Portsmouth Community

Reg three south east

Salthill enjoyed a thrilling win at Fishbourne.

Portsmouth elected to bat and R Baskketter and J Hastie put on 90 for the first wicket.

Salthill stuck to the task and wickets started to fall with Scott Richardson taking two difficult catches.

Portsmouth finished on 214 for seven.

Salthill started the chase poorly and were 49 for five at one stage with only Trevor Almack holding his own.

He and Ashley Court took the score to 93, Almack falling for a hard-earned 33 followed by Court for mature 20.

Steve King reached his first 50 of the season but Malcolm Broughton top-edged a delivery into his face, causing a nasty injury that needed a trip to hospital. King and Josh Holder frustrated the Portsmouth bowlers to clinch a last-over win, King finishing 68 not out and Holder on 20.