An excellent unbeaten century from Ben Duggan (101*) helped Hampshire Academy secure a three wicket victory with just one ball to spare in their Southern Electric Premier match against Burridge on Saturday.

Three wickets for Ryan Murray (3-46) and Felix Organ (3-31) had initially helped restrict the hosts to 239-9 from their 50 overs, with wickets also coming for Brad Taylor (1-25) and Tom Scriven (1-11) in a polished bowling performance.

Hampshire’s chase was timed to perfection as Duggan’s impressive innings, paired with good support from a well-made fifty from Organ (60) and a solid opening knock from Joe Weatherley (41), guided the visitors to their second win of the 2015 competition.

Although Murray picked up the wicket of Joe Gatting (0) in the opening over of the match, Hampshire’s bowlers did not have it all their own way as Joseph Collings-Wells (56) and James Richards (69) helped Burridge reach 126-1 before the former fell at the hands of an efficient Taylor spell.

Following a second wicket partnership of more than a hundred, Hampshire fought back well as more regular wickets falling as a result of some sharp Weatherly fielding and Organ seam bowling, to reduce the home-side to 156-5.

Burridge skipper Richard Ankers (36*) led a brief fightback but with little support from the rest of the lower-order, his side reached the break having slightly lost momentum as the innings went on.

In reply, the opening pair of Weatherley and Duggan saw Hampshire make a strong start before the former departed thanks to some accurate bowling from Geoff Dods (3-42) to spark a small collapse.

Dods and Daniel Stancliffe (3-26) combined to take four wickets for just six runs as Hampshire slumped from 100-1 to 106-5 to dampen many hopes of a successful chase.

However, with Duggan still at the crease and Organ joining him confidently, the two built a formidable partnership of 115 to see the away-side firmly back in control with the score 221-5, just 19 runs needed off the remaining 18 deliveries. 

Despite the loss of Organ, Duggan remained composed to see Hampshire home in the final over, the left-hander reaching the target with one delivery remaining to conclude a superb innings and vital victory for the Hampshire Academy side.

Following the result, they currently sit fourth in the SEPL table and will be looking for another win when they face Havant on 6^th June.

Words: Will Brewster