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2001 season and what it has to offer in SEPL
Mike Vimpany - 13 May 2001
Havant are hot favourites to retain the Southern Electric ECB Premier League title they won so convincingly last summer.
They won both the 50-over and all-day 'time' game pennants and finished the region's inaugural season of Premier League cricket with a commanding 44-point advantage over Calmore Sports, their nearest rivals.
BAT Sports, Calmore Sports and, may be Bournemouth, look the best bets to challenge Havant's crown.
But, with Shane Gillies arrived from Perth and Mark Copping back in the fold, Havant boast an arguably stronger squad than that which won the championship last season.
They had a scare when Andrew Perry dislocated his shoulder (for the fifth time) earlier in the year.
"But the specialist has given him the all-clear to play again - and have his shoulder pinned later in the year," explained Havant skipper Paul Gover.
Perry's injury, originally sustained playing rugby at St John's College, put the Havant batsman out of last week's handsome seven-wicket win over Hungerford.
Even without Perry, Havant possessed enough firepower to douse any threat much-weakened Hungerford offered.
Significantly, Havant's three probable title challengers have all snapped up useful A-Grade imports from Australian clubs.
BAT's Dave Carson needs little introduction after displaying his run-scoring prowess for Hambledon during the past two summers.
Carson, who plays alongside Test opener Michael Slater for the University of New South Wales, will not only provide BAT with a prominent number 3, but also a more than useful spin bowler.
Glen Motschall, due to make a weather-delayed debut for Calmore at Burridge today, hails from the renowned Carlton club in Melbourne.
A left-arm 'quick', the Aussie will share the new ball attack with either James Lucy or Allan Hurst, who both bowled effectively for the Loperwood Park club last season.
Another Australian eager to get his hands on the new ball every Saturday is Peter Waite, who arrived at Chapel Gate through Bournemouth's productive 'exchange' links with South Perth.
A Champion cricketer in the past at Richardson Park (South Perth's delightful headquarters alongside the Swan River), Waite is a prodigious swing bowler, whose link up with Devon Minor Counties paceman Paul Warren will give Bournemouth's attack a distinct sharpness.
But, while three prominent foreign nationals have arrived, the Premier League could be short on overall quality through the loss of at least eight past top performers.
Players such as Andy Hooper (Andover), Martin Kellaway (Calmore Sports), Mayu Pasupati (Liphook & Ripsley), Luke Ronchi (Bashley), Roger Sillence (South Wilts), Mike Stonier (Bournemouth) and Hungerford duo Jim Ettridge and David Pryke will be hard to replace.
Hungerford, beset by a exodus of first team players, could be pressed to keep their heads above water this season, as could also newly-promoted Liphook, beaten by Bournemouth last week.
Pryke and Pasupati were undoubted match winners.
Burridge, who escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth after winning their final match at Cove last September, look in better shape.
They sprang a real opening day surprise, winning by nine wickets at Andover, where former Hursley Park batsman Dave Jackson struck a splendid 91 not out.
"Obviously the win at Andover has given us a great platform from which to build," enthused skipper Paul Ancell.
"We are more of a team now - and that showed in the field. Our out-cricket was of a very high standard, as was Andover's I should add."
Andover seemed a little lost on how to cope without the left-arm spinning skills of evergreen Andy Hooper, who ironically was playing - and getting wickets (naturally) - at London Road ... for the club's 3rd XI in Hampshire League County Division 4 !
Courtesy of MV and Southern Daily Echo
© SEPL
| Teams | England. |
| Players/Umpires | Andrew Perry, Michael Slater, Paul Warren, Andrew Hooper, Mayu Pasupati, Luke Ronchi, Roger Sillence, Michael Stonier, David Pryke. |
| Tournaments | Southern Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |