Hampshire Second XI captain Joe Weatherley (85) and fellow top-order batsman Jake Goodwin (62) both contributed valuable half-centuries as Hampshire Second XI picked up a draw in a rain effected three-day fixture against MCC Young Cricketers.

MCCYC began the match in impressive fashion as centuries from Shawn Hicks (177*) and Jordan Thompson (103) saw them post a hefty first-innings total of 473-5 before skipper Alexander MacQueen declared.

Hampshire began positively in reply as both Weatherley and Goodwin enjoyed free-flowing innings’ before the rain intervened to prevent any result for either side.

After being asked to bat first, MCCYC began well through Jamie Harris (77) and Thompson who put together an 81-run partnership to see the visitors beyond 150 for the loss of just one wicket.

Although Harris departed, Thompson continued and as he was joined by Hicks, the duo set about building their total further. Despite the bowler’s best efforts, both batsman looked in excellent touch and they shared a superb 229-run stand to see MCCYC towards a considerably large first-innings total.

In reply, Hampshire openers Tom Alsop (37) and Weatherley ensured the hosts started positively, and despite the former falling short of his half-century, Weatherley battled through to reach his deserved half-century.

Some tight bowling from Janak Valand (2-41) saw the end of the skipper just 15 runs short of what would have been an impressive hundred, but the arrival too of the patient Goodwin enabled Hampshire to continue their momentum.

With the home-side reaching 292-7 at the close of the second day things looked to be in the balance, but with rain affecting play on the third day, the spoils were shared and the match drawn.

Words: Will Brewster