SPCL2 Week 1 - St Cross open account

Newly promoted St Cross Symondians scrambled a two-wicket last-over victory over Gosport Borough at Privett Park - after appearing to have the win points comfortably in the bag at one stage.

It looked plain sailing as St Cross, chasing Gosport's 187-8, cruised to 157-3. But successive run-outs, including top scorer Steve Shaw (73), prompted five wickets to fall before skipper Matt Perry-Lewis eventually hit the winning boundary.

Gosport's total was built around the nomadic Lee Wateridge (83), who batted almost the entire innings after losing a succession of early partners.

New Zealander Rhys Morgan (2-18) took a wicket with his first ball in English cricket, while Brian Lipscombe (3-40) struck after Mike Rees (20) and captain Stuart Magee (27) had aided the Wateridge-led recovery.

Gosport's target looked easy picking as left-hander Steve Shaw and Morgan (28) guided St Cross to a comfortable 102-1.

But when Daniel North (3-42) prompted a middle-order wobble - the visitors lost four wickets for seven runs at one stage - Gosport almost clawed themselves back into the match.

Ben Adams watched three partners go quickly before Lipscombe swatted a couple of boundaries and Perry-Lewis eventually hit the winning runs.

Indian all-rounder Raj Niak inspired a 17-run win by Old Tauntonians & Romsey over Sparsholt at the Norman Edwards Ground.

Niak, who has played for Winchester KS in recent seasons, held OTs together after Carl Nicols (2-24) had the visitors at an uncertain 40-3.

The little Goan all-rounder hit 79 and added a critical 120 for the fifth wicket with Stuart Tulk (32) as Old Tauntonians & Romsey posted 217 (Andy Lang 3-53).

Tim Richings (40) led Sparsholt to 77-1 but became one of three victims for left-arm spinner Nick Wood (3-37).

Ian Stuart's unbeaten 72 kept Sparsholt in the hunt, though the OTR total was never under serious threat, as the hosts closed at 200-7.