Midhurst's harsh reminder of '˜catches win matches' adage

Fareham & Crofton v Midhurst

Hants League division one

Midhurst lost by five wickets after winning the toss.

Chris May was adjudged lbw early on but Tim Powell looked in good touch after belting the opening bowler back over his head for six – but was soon was caught for 14.

Atkins amassed runs quietly as he was joined by Graham Braithwaite, who dismissed anything full to boundary.

But just as Braithwaite was moving through the gears, he was unfortunate to be out lbw.

Premachadra and Atkins steadied the ship before Pearce came in and played some excellent shots, which saw him clock up a quick 37. Midhurst ended on 227.

When Fareham replied, Powell swung it both ways and had numerous lbw shouts. But the openers made progress. Cox and Premachandra caused the batsmen many problems and restricted the rate. But after these two had bowled their overs, Midhurst struggled to exert any pressure and Fareham won by five wickets.

Midhurst put down three easy catches. However Powell did produce a one-handed catch of exceptional quality.

Emsworth v Bramshaw II

Division four south

Emsworth finished three runs short of victory in a thriller.

Neither side had a league win to their name coming into this game.

Bramshaw batted first on a good wicket and the Emsworth fielders and bowlers spent much of the afternoon chasing the ball.

J Terris made a fantastic 143 against an attack without key men including spinner Mick Offord. Lee Gray bowled one Bramshaw opener but Terris dominated.

He was dropped twice, by the keeper on 42 and then again when on 87.

Bramshaw ended on on 267 for five, Gray taking three for 57 but the other Emsworth bowlers taking only two wickets between them.

For Emsworth, James Swaine and Jack Mason took the attack to Bramshaw before Mason was out lbw.

Swaine made an impressive 78 and James Johnson struck a swift 33, while 15-year-old Mike Smith found the gaps before falling lbw.

Gray displayed crafty sweeps, cuts, off-drives and on-drives but Johnson was bowled.

Gray passed 50 and Dave Pitts and then Andy Till hit some classy shots before both being undone by the light and missing the ball.

With 20 needed, Gray was caught for 68.

Captain Mark Martin and the remaining players did their best but Emsworth ended three short.

Salthill v Portsmouth IV

Regional div four SE

SALTHILL won the toss and batted. The superb bowling of Harrison Keeler saw Almack and Abott scoring just 34 between them.

Damian Koblintz (46) and Dave McLean (33) made an impact but Keeler got rid of them.

Tim Longland (99) and Nick Shrubb accelerated the rate and Salthill finished on 326.

Beal (3-42), Wallsgrove (1-22) and Shrubb (1-23) saw Salthill take the win and picking up maximum points as Portsmouth ended on 140 for six.