With a loaded 6th XI side, Captain Adbul won the toss and wisely chose to bat first on a baked and sandy wicket at River Park. Under a huge weight of expectation (it being an MVP day), club celebrity and darting legend Simon Lambert fell to an excellent early catch in the gully. Freddie Beer was joined in the middle by the left handed Angus Tilney and the pair grafted a partnership of 118 on what proved to be a tough wicket. When Angus fell for 64, stumped as he sought to attack the 3rd change bowler, and after Freddie was caught at deep mid-on for 50 the next over, the foundations were laid for an above par total. There was no luck for Guy Punnett who looked classy but was caught in the deep before getting set, giving way to Kevin Stone who joined the skipper with the score on 142 - 4 after 26 overs. Another strong partnership formed, with the pair putting on 66 at a steady rate before Abdul was caught at point for 32 and Kevin caught behind on 31 soon after. Batting at the close, Charlie Preston nicked behind while showing clear intent, and George Scrivener and James Moore added some useful runs to bring the closing tally to 224 - 7.

After a quick turnaround, the new ball was taken by Charlie Preston and Will Exley. Charlie took both openers with some brisk deliveries and plenty of variety, both well caught in the infield by Jasper Tilney. Will Exley bowled superbly, his left arm seam angled across the right handers with some good nip and although he didn't take any wickets in his opening 5, his first three overs yielded just one run and applied early pressure, placing Hursley in a laboured 33 – 2 after 11. Jasper Tilney and Simon Lambert took on the attack, maintained the tight economy, and chalked up a wicket apiece - Lambo snaring the captain via a good catch by Abdul at mid-on and Jasper cleaning out the number 4 batsman off his inside edge to leave Hursley at what felt like a terminal 59 - 4. The skipper decided to get in on the action, and while marking out his 3 pace run up, Guy Punnett and George Skrivener’s sustained chatter cajoled the batsman into expecting loopy flight, only for Hursley’s keeper to be caught plumb in front by a totally unexpected first ball dart from Abdul’s quick arm. With Kevin Stone arriving to bowl the actual loopy stuff from the other end and the new bat starting to look dangerous, Abdul struck again, rearranging his furniture without so much as a fourth stride. After 30 overs, Hursley were 110 - 7 and St Cross were focussed on max bowling points. Despite this, the new left handed batsman remained intent on victory and squared some solid blows before his luck ran out to the temptations of Stone, whose tantalising flight cut through and bowled him clean. Jasper Tilney returned, finding a thin edge to the gloves of Scrivener behind, and putting St Cross on full attack to secure the final wicket in the last 5 overs. But alas; despite Tilney and Exley’s aggressive final spells, and a hostile field set close to snatch any opportunities, Hursley survived their 40 overs on 172 for 9, and with their number 6 defiantly attacking to the close on an unbeaten 39.

The second victory in a row by a comfortable 52 run margin – clearly Abdul’s team are at their best in the furnace of the unprecedented May heatwave.

St Cross 224 - 7 (40.0)

Hursley Park 172 - 8 (40.0)

St Cross win by 52 runs