SPCL1 Week18 - Academy finish creditable third in debut season

Hampshire's Academy side finished a creditable third in its debut season in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League's top flight.

They won nine of their 15 matches - the latest success a seven-wicket victory over Bashley (Rydal).

The Young Hawks collected 231 points to finish comfortably ahead of Havant, last year's champions.

Andrew Sexton, who spent two recent seasons on the Rose Bowl staff, thwarted the Academy for the bulk of the afternoon session at the BCG.

He hit 85 before being eighth out at 158, but received little support from his colleagues as Bashley struggled to make much impression against a tidy Hawks attack, in which Luke Merry (3-26) and debutant Richard Morris (2-18) caught the eye.

When Iain Brunnschweiller and Tom Cledwyn fell cheaply, Bashley's modest 166-9 was some way off.

But Kevin Latouf (46) kick-started the innings and provided the platform from which the emerging Tom Burrows (51 not out) and Richard Morris (40 not out) were able to launch the Academy's victory bid.

Bournemouth clinched the Limited Overs Pennant with a 50-run win over Liphook & Ripsley - a result which left them just ahead of BAT Sports.

Bournemouth I's modest 178-5 was more than enough to beat Liphook & Ripsley (128), whose primary aim was the secure the three points they needed to avert relegation.

Richard Scott (51) and Stuart Rintoul (34) made an impact before Bournemouth's innings became becalmed. Geoff Warrington (30) and Martin Miller (28) provided a pre-tea lift.

Jez Bulled (55) top scored as Liphook crawled to 128 - Joe Wilson, Adam Voges and teenage debutant Chris Coombs each taking two wickets.