Abdurahman Inspires Stunning Academy Victory

Match Report: St Cross v Hampshire Academy

St Cross Symondians v Hampshire Academy
Southern Electric Premier League
Saturday 9 June
Green Jackets Ground

Summary: Hampshire Academy beat St Cross Symondians by 7 wickets
St. Cross: 102
The Academy: 103-3
Scorecard

Late Academy call-up Mo Abdurahman triggered an amazing St Cross Symondians’ collapse which saw seven wickets fall for 21 runs – and the Winchester club lose their unbeaten ECB Southern Electric Premier League record.

The dual-registered 16-year old pace bowler had been due to play for his parent club Hursley Park in the top of the table Division 3 showdown with Tichborne Park.

But, with James Haggaty ruled out with a knee injury, he answered a 9pm Hampshire Academy call to debut against St Cross instead.

Mo’s impact on the game was immense.

St Cross Symondians had lost Charlie Esson to left-armer Tom Barber (2-17) to the second ball of the match, but satisfactory progress was being maintained at 35-1 with George Adair and Hampshire prospect Adam Rouse together.

But when Rouse (13) was caught one-handed by a diving Jack Sheppard at mid-off off Matt King (2-16) and former county all-rounder Lawrie Prittipaul (3) perished soon after, St Cross were on the slide.

Abdurahman joined the Academy attack and removed Adair (14), Richard Logan (0) and Jordan Finney (1) in quick succession.

And when Darren Rouse (14) was run out and Ed Green became Abdurahman’s fourth victim, St Cross were in deep trouble at 56-8 – and lunch still some way off!

Jack Bransgrove (21), teenage son of Hampshire chief executive Rod Bransgrove, and Lee Haynes (14) steadied the ship with a handy ninth-wicket stand.

But soon after lunch, St Cross Symondians were all out for 102.

Batting conditions had not been easy – St Cross, having been put in, were apparently intending to bat anyway but hadn’t done so particularly well.

But that didn’t take the gloss off Abdurahman’s debut performance.

“Mo produced a terrific five-over spell, which won us the match and he was my pick for our weekly performance award,” beamed assistant Academy manager Charlie Freeston, who was standing in for the holidaying Bobby Parks.

“It was an important win for the lads after losing the previous two games against Lymington and Bournemouth.

“They needed a confidence boost – and it came at the right time.”

Newbury-based left-hander Ollie Green led the Academy’s trot, making an unbeaten 43 after being missed once or twice.

He lost Rob Gibson (7) and James Halson (12) but Michael Porter, who punished anything slightly short of a length, hit a quick-fire 26 to ease any concerns the Academy may have had.

Words & Images: Mike Vimpany

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