After last weeks struggles against a strong Hambledon side, Petersfield made the short trip down the A3 to visit Purbrook at their version of the Heath… Billed as a tough one after Purbrook mauled Petersfield at the real Heath earlier in the season, with the outcome of the clash showing it did indeed live up to its billing. Captain Tom Horwood incorrectly called “Tails”, giving the hosts the choice of what to do, with them electing to bat first. (Tosswatch, that’s eight wins from fifteen tosses).

Petersfield started well with the ball, with Alex Bartlett (2-18) and Nathan Barlow (0-19) keeping things fairly tight in the early exchanges. The away-swing of Bartlett being particularly threatening, with him claiming the early scalps of both Liam Menhgam (13) and Jacob Leunig-Younger (1), both being caught in the cordon. No luck for Barlow today, with him being replaced by youngster Wilf Vincent (1-34) – Vincent probably not at his best today, but did dismiss the other opener James Cleeve (21) with a short ball that plinked straight up in the air, James Longland loudly calling for it and watching it nestle safely in his gloves. Tom Horwood (2-30) brought himself on from Bartlett’s end, with pace off appearing to provide a different challenge, with Horwood having the dangerous Hugo Brook (33) caught at midwicket. Anya Holtshausen (3-29) came into the attack, quickly caused an element of mayhem – despite conceding a couple of boundaries, she removed Owen Lloyed (0) and Jack Taylor (0), the former bowled and latter a simple return catch, both without troubling the scorers. Horwood then added to his tally, clean bowling Liam Kelly (25) with one that turned through the gate. Holtshausen wasn’t done, however, claiming a third victim by bowling Josh Flood (11). Horwood and Holtshausen gave way for Harry Roots (0-16) and Adam de Swardt (2-1). Although Roots struggled a bit with ball in hand, he was however instrumental in closing out the Purbrook innings, taking two shrap catches off de Swardt at Mid-Off, with de Swardt removing Jawad Mohammad (11) and Matthew Porton (0) to complete a good half for Petersfield, bowling Purbrook out for 148.

No tea provided today, so it was an array of sandwiches and shared sugary sweets – the Percy Pigs provided by Anya being the highlight… Could Petersfield turn a sold first half into a complete performance? In short, no…

Petersfield sent Adam de Swardt (6) and Ned Kelly (4) out to open up, but both struggled against the consistency and swing of Mattew Porton (2-10) and the left-arm over angle and pace of Josh Flood (2-15). Kelly was removed by Porton, excited by one slightly wide ball but it was only chipped up to the fielder at point, who juggled it profusely but held on at one hundredth (or maybe fourth) attempt. De Swardt was then removed, clean bowled by Flood. Cass Marks (1) and Tom Horwood (4) dug in, but both fell in short succession, with Marks being bowled by Flood and Horwood being caught and bowled by Porton. Jordan Price (3 for 24) and Owen Lloyd (3 for 17) came on to finish the job that Porton and Flood had started… James Longland (1) was bowled by Price, with Del Kelly (5) being caught off Lloyd, before Price then cleaned up Nathan Barlow (0). Alex Bartlett (12) played a couple of nice looking shots before becoming Lloyd’s second victim, with Harry Roots being removed first balls to complete Lloyd’s 3fer. The end was held up by a couple of nic shots from Wilf Vincent (10), but matters were finalized when Vincent was bowled by Price. Petersfield bowled out for the measly 67, with Purbrook winning by 81 runs.

So, a spineless display with the bat in the face of good bowling destroying the good work done earlier in the day with ball in hand… On to next week, where the final day of the league season see Petersfield back at the real Heath, taking on a Ropley side who sit second and would be favorites to take the second promotion spot at the expense of Waterlooville and have a chance of overhauling St Cross Symondians to claim the coveted spot of Champions. With Petersfield a nailed-on sixth place, it’s time to ruin a promotion party… If that wasn’t enough to get those lucky enough to be selected in the Second XI excited, I’ll leave you this… We end the season with a Nathan Barlow tea!