On a very windy day at Brooad halfpenny down Petersfield were asked to bat first as skipper Squires lost the toss for the 2nd week running.

The pitch was green and low but very dry. Opener Marcus Sampson tweeted a calf muscle which resulted in a swipe across the line to R Reynolds his first of 2 wickets as Marcus dropped out of the club duck competition. Dave Squires (30) and David Longland put on 40 for the 2nd wicket before David was bowled unluckily round his legs by Steve Ripner (1-18).

The wind and slope (bigger than Lords) was playing havoc with the Hambledon bowlers line as conceded 28 wides. Squires was next to go as edged to the keeper off young Robin Gohl (2-32) who only arrived as the game was about to start. After a good 2nd wicket stand Petersfield suffered a small collapse losing 5 wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Rob Allerston (14) and Olaf Swanzy (14) steadied the ship to push the score to 111 before Nelson struck and both players were out. Daniel Squires (3) and Nathan Linkhorn (4) made the Hambledon bowlers toil for the last wickets before Nathan and Dan where out in the 38th and 39th over trying to get as many runs as possible. Alex Morrison kept himself in the duck competition with a lovely leg glance for 2. Petersfield finished on 137 giving the bowlers something to bowl at. But Petersfield had batted for 99% of the overs for the 2nd week on the trot.

Alec Scott Plummer (1-27) and Alex Morrison struggled with the win as well as the first 10 overs went for 60 although Alec should have had top scorer Pete Grennan (59 not out) in the first over but the catch was shelled at mid off. Alec made the breakthrough when Steve Parvin hit the ball to mid off and this time the catch was taken. Rob Allerston (0-45) should have had Grennan LBW in his second over but the umpire said it was going down leg much to Petersfield’s annoyance.

The pitch was a playing ok but was one to bowl stump to stump on which was proved true when skipper Squires (relieved of keeping duties) had Toby Garne (13) bowled and David Shaw (0) LBW in successive overs to give Petersfield some hope with the score on 98-3. Olaf Swanzy (1-‘10) removed Jamie Birch (5)

Another dropped catch cost Squires the wicket of young Robin Gohl as everyone stood and watched the ball fall between 2 fielders. Gohl and Gannon took Hambledon to victory in the 22nd over but again wides and no balls contributing 37 to the Hambledon score.

O Petersfield where again 30 or 40 runs short of a competitive total but there are encouraging signs the team are becoming more resilient which can only bode well for the rest of the season on to next week at home at Penns Place against Burridge.