Hampshire Hoggets

Report by John Bettridge:

Junior Martlets 230 for 6 (40 overs) Alex Bushell 114no, Ash Kumar 38

Hampshire Hoggets 120 all out (28 overs) Toby Shepperson 2-4, Greg Iago 2-14, Hugo March 2-18, Joss Cary 2-23.

Opening left arm seamer Hugo March in action

After the previous week end’s rain the Junior Martlets found a not surprisingly green Warnford wicket. Ash Kumar, the captain, lost the toss thus allowing the Hoggets captain to make the obvious decision to insert us. Scoring was certainly not easy for the captain and Will Futcher and the score stood at 29 when Will was out in the 8^th over. Toby Shepperson tried to push on but was caught after scoring two boundaries. This brought Alex Bushell to the crease and he and Ash slowly changed the complexion of the innings and moved the score on to 111 before Ash was caught LBW. The sun dried the wicket and the outfield and Alex made hay! He is a hard straight hitter and thoroughly enjoyed himself as he progressed to a magnificent 100 to end on 114 not out. This match changing innings included one six and 17 fours. He had some able support and the Martlet total was a formidable 230 at the end of the 40 overs.

An impendind legside take by Ash Kumar

Fortified by a splendid tea the Junior Martlets took the field with confidence and a positive enthusiasm. The bowling was opened by 15 year old left armer Hugo March and a rusty Josh Cary, who because of an elbow injury had not bowled for two years. He induced indiscretion in his first over however with a catch being sent in the direction of Alex Margarson, who made no mistake. It was the catching and general ground fielding that stood out during this innings and brought much positive comment from the on-lookers. Hugo settled to bowl a fine controlled spell in which he displayed all the best features of the left arm seamer’s art. Both Alex Margarson and Will Futcher took sharp close catches in front of the wicket while Ash Kumar’s keeping set a high standard and included a fine stumping off Felix Talbot’s bowling. The wickets were shared amongst a young seam attack, all of whom are in the under 15 age group. Toby Shepperson with his well flighted leg breaks got into the act at the end and polished of the tail. What impressed me was that the team never let their grip on the situation relax and the 110 run win in 28 overs was a thoroughly deserved triumph.

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