Two weeks ago, Hursley Park suffered a morale-sapping defeat in the first game of their Southern League campaign, following their promotion from the Hampshire Cricket League.

It is a testament to the comparatively young team’s spirit and togetherness that they bounced back to secure a 7-wicket win against Havant 2nds at Havant Park on Saturday.

Put into bat, Havant were dismissed in the 37th over for a score of 142. It was seasoned campaigner Oli Green who did the bulk of the damage, decimating the top order and taking 4 wickets for 29 runs. Ben Holden (3-29) and McNamara (2-29) bowled equally well and were supported by some excellent fielding and catching.

Kumu Sharma (37) and Tim Bacon (30), with contrasting styles, took the score to 68 before the latter was dismissed. Havant were understandably keen to remind incoming batsmen of their recent collapse but Will Flynn (36*) and Paddy McNamara (25*) were untroubled in reaching the required total with 13 overs in hand.

Hursley’s hopes for a weekend double were thwarted by Calmore who secured the win from the last ball of the match.

Hursley made a par total of 203 for 6 from their 40 overs. Tom Flynn was the mainstay of the Hursley innings, scoring a magnificent century with one six going over the nursery pavilion form the main square. Teaching and coaching at Winchester College means that Tom has missed all of Hursley’s early season league games and, understandably, his return is eagerly awaited.

Calmore started their reply slowly with Brimble’s 8 overs going for a miserly 11 runs. However, with 85 runs needed from the last 10 overs, Hursley’s weakened bowling attack was put to the sword, particularly by Dempster with a 180 strike rate, scoring 45 from 25 deliveries. Karimi (60) and Bailey(37) made useful contributions. 6 runs were required from the last over and 3 from the last ball. Dempster duly launched a six to win the game and earn themselves a match away to Ventnor in the next round.