Sixes Div 5 Safety campaign commences……………..St X 6s played Ampfield and North Baddesley 2s on Saturday
knowing that our league status preservation campaign made this a must win, as St X started the game 2nd from
bottom, with Ampfield bottom.
Despite the shower from 11:30am to 12:30pm, the match started on time, McSparron continued his run of poor toss
performance and Ampfield put us in to bat on a KGV pitch with cracks so wide there were fears the £1 coin would be
lost in the pitch. KGV has been in existence, in Winchester, since the death of King George V in 1936 and it appears
that, over the 90 years, the water pipe hose has rarely been long enough to reach the pitch.
Matt Smith and Ben Leather got us to 40 in quick time before a run out confusion that sent Ben back to the changing
room. Having batted very confidently and proficiently Matt then decided to let three balls hit his pads in a row, the
third of which would have knocked out his middle and leg stump. The pitch was playing occasionally low, a bit slow,
but much better than Cheriton. Adeel perished early to a good ball, late outswing, and a good keeper catch. It was
then over to the all-rounders – the experienced PJ and Bencey, recently returned from Oxford. They recovered to 83
before Bencey exited on 23. PJ continued batting with James Fletcher and that pair got us to 139 before PJ hit out
and was caught on 39.
Fletcher continued, partnered by 'Fryer the Younger', who hit a rapid 21 and then by ‘Tonker’ Joe Sandercock – who
executed a superb reverse sweep 4 - and got 16 in about 8 balls – selflessly running himself out on the last ball of the
match going for 2. That left James Fletcher on 39 NO – an excellent innings. St Cross ended on 191 for 7 off 40 overs.
We reckon 200 is probably par on KGV – so a total not far from ‘par’ and King George V himself would have been
moderately pleased with our team effort. And it was a real team effort, the more experienced and the more youthful
elements of the team contributing equally.
At tea, the St X ‘6’s Senior Management Team (Adeel, PJ, Smith and McSparron) decided to look at keeping it tight
and playing to win… This meant Adeel captaining the bowling portion of our game. PJ and Bencey opened and the
pressure on Ampfield built immediately. The wily and highly experienced PJ bowled in the right areas and Bencey

bowling fast and tight. PJ got the first wicket –an Ampfield opener who tried to cross bat one that kept a little low
(16-1)… Enter Adeel who replaced Bencey and took 3 for 23 in an excellent 8 over spell – two bowled and one caught
by Morgan. At the other end PJ (8-0-26-1) was replaced by Matt Smith bowling left arm orthodox with significant
turn (8-0-24-1). By over 22, and late drinks, Ampfield were 88 for 3, well off the pace and frankly they slightly gave
up trying to win.
The St X young guns then had their turn. Morgan (7-1-31-1) produced a superb yorker for his wicket and Will Exley 4-
0-8-0 was too fast for Ampfield to hit. Will and Morgan’s pressure created two run outs – both executed by Joe
Sandercock – the first a worldie direct hit from deepish midwicket. Fryer the Younger kept admirably. McSparron
made no contribution apart from an attack of cramp that required PJ’s first aid to get him back on two legs and then
write this match report. The team performance was superb, the spirit was positive and the match enjoyable.
The 6s ended the day in joint 8th place in the league – just 2 or 3 more wins and another year in Div 5 beckons………..