BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – English County Hampshire eked out a tense four-run win over Combined Campuses and Colleges in a low-scoring contest under lights here Monday, to snatch their first victory of the Regional Super50.
In a see-sawed contest at Kensington Oval, Hampshire only just managed to defend a paltry 152, dismissing Marooners with only four overs left, in what eventually became a test of nerves.
They seemed to have the upperhand when they reduced Marooners to 120 for nine in the 37th over but number nine Keron Cottoy struck an unbeaten 30 off 56 balls, and anchored a crucial 28-run last-wicket stand with Jermaine Levy (2) to nearly steal victory.
With just five runs needed for victory, off-spinner Joe Weatherley trapped Levy lbw to settle the affair and hand Hampshire their first win of the tournament in three outings.
Vikash Mohan had earlier top-scored with 40 off 78 deliveries with four fours but was the only one among the top order to show enterprise as pacer Bradley Wheal (3-39), 20-year-old seamer Asher Hart (2-34) and former West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards (2-36) crippled the innings.
Electing to bat first, Hampshire appeared dead and buried when they lost their entire top order cheaply to slump to 15 for five in the sixth over.
But Man-of-the-Match Brad Taylor produced a fighting 69 off 108 balls with five fours, staging stands of 38 for the sixth wicket with opener Tom Alsop (31) and 40 for the eighth with Hart (18).
Even then, Hampshire struggled to 101 for nine in the 33rd over but Taylor combined with last man Wheal (18 not out) to put on 51 – the best stand of the match – and provide precious runs at the end.
Left-arm spinner Yannick Ottley picked up three for 33 while fast bowler Levy (2-23) and off-spinner Mohan (2-23) ended with two wickets apiece.
