An exceptional unbeaten century from Ben Duggan (125*) and a five-wicket haul for Ryan Murray (5-43) guided Hampshire Academy to a commanding 72-run victory over Burridge in the Southern Electric Premier League clash at the Utilita Bowl.

The impressive Duggan carried his bat for the entirety of Hampshire’s innings, and with good support coming from Tom Alsop (79*) and Felix Organ (47*), the hosts posted a commanding 315-2.

Burridge then struggled in reply, as early wickets for Murray and Josh McCoy (2-37) saw the visitors struggling at 134-5 before Hampshire eventually picked up the remaining wickets to claim victory with relative ease.

Hampshire began in positive fashion with opening pair Duggan and skipper Joe Weatherley (36) guiding their side to 70-0 and although the latter departed soon after, Duggan continued to build nicely.

He was joined by the in-form Alsop who quickly established himself at the crease with some elegant stroke-play from the off. The pair combined magnificently sharing a 143-run partnership to put see the home-side past 200 for the loss of just one wicket.

Alsop was unfortunate to fall just 21 runs short of what would have been a deserved century, but with Hampshire well on their way to an imposing total, Duggan and Felix Organ (47*) enforced their advantage further to guide Hampshire to a large first-innings total.

The away-side will have been hoping for a positive start with such a substantial chasing target, however the loss of five wickets inside the opening 26 overs at the hands of Murray and McCoy meant Burridge were never really able to consider closing in on the required total.

Murray then wrapped up the lower-order with ease as Hampshire cruised to a dominant victory to retain fourth place in the Southern Electric Premier Division. 

Words: Will Brewster