SPCL1 Week10 - White saves the day ... again

Giles White's last-man heroics saved the Hampshire Academy from defeat against Southern Electric Premier League rivals South Wilts at Lower Bemerton.

All appeared lost when White emerged from the pavilion with the Academy reeling at 114-9, in response to South Wilts' total of 236-9 after 66 overs.

But, for the second consecutive match, White - who struck an unbeaten 68 in the previous week's five-wicket defeat by Bashley (Rydal) - showed the Young Hawks how to do it and hit a draw-clinching 67 not out.

White's undefeated last wicket stand with James Manning, who made 9, lifted the Academy from 114-9 to 193-9 ... and an improbable draw.

Army pace bowler Alex Senneck (4-66) and Australian Jim Seeary (3-48) had the Academy reeling at 58-6 before Ian Hilsum (37) added some substance to the total.

But it was left to White, the former county opener, and Manning to battle it out for a draw.

"We went from trying to win the game to just trying to save it in the course of 25 overs," commented Academy coach Tony Middleton. "It must have made it tactically fascinating for those watching."

The South Wilts total had been based around top order contributions from Paul Draper (34) and Tim Lamb (47), who provided valuable support for Jamie Glasson (74) to notch his top score of the season.

Matt Metcalfe (4-54) got amongst the lower-order as South Wilts lost wickets in the search for quick runs towards the end of their innings.

Portsmouth are wobbling on the fringe of the relegation zone after a thumping 102-run defeat by Liphook & Ripsley at Ripsley Park.

Durham University left-arm paceman Glen Read (4-24) and South African spinner Alistair Gray (4-19) did the damage as Portsmouth plunged from 35-1 to 72 all out in 28.3 overs.

Liphook's 174-8 (Peter Hayward 5-59) was built around a half-century start from Gray (28) and Russell Barnes (28), complimented by skipper Jez Bulled (31).