Easton & Martyr Worthy III took on IBM Hursley III at Cheriton, with both teams combining the best of their junior sides with the experience of older hands. Hursley opened solidly despite the loss of early batsmen to the bowling of U15s Spencer Lee and Ollie Miles, who would go on to take five wickets between them, helped by an excellent low take at gully by fellow U15 Tom Duff. There were further catches from Joe O’Connell Danes and Adrian Lee. The hundred came up on 20 overs after a 70 partnership from father and son duo Andy and Robbie Cocking (U13), who finished on 40 and 31 respectively. The Easton attack continued with father and son Pete and Tom Duff vying for wickets, resulting in 2 for the former. Mike Johnson, not out on 20, was the mainstay of Hursley’s lower order. Extras helped the innings total to 160 all out, a new season high for the visitors.

Carrying on their successful partnership of last week, Easton opened their innings strongly with both openers Adrian Lee and U15 Will Wickham finding the boundary. The score moved to 68 before Wickham fell LBW to Yarney for 33. As Lee retired hurt on 46, the U15 partnership of Tom Duff and Spencer Lee was left to finish the run chase professionally against the consistent bowling of Robbie and his U15 brother, Ashley Cocking. Duff succumbed to a sharp catch on 44 off another U15 Tom Stevens, bringing in Duff senior with just one run to complete the win for Easton in the 33rd over.

This was a well-balanced match showcasing both clubs’ enthusiasm for bringing younger players into the senior game.