SPARSHOLT were convincing winners of the top-of-the-table clash in the Southern Premier League Division Two, beating Rowledge who slip to third place as a result.

Choosing to bat first at the Rec, Ben Wish wanted to see his side amass a 200-plus total and they looked well on course for that at 105-1 after a careful second-wicket partnership of 105 between Chris Yates Jnr and Sam Plater.

However, Sparsholt’s spin duo of Jeremy Frith and Nick Doubell began to make inroads into the strong middle order.

Yates was eventually fifth man out for a disciplined 81 off 143 balls and the home side went from 186-5 to 194-9 after their 50 overs, some 25 runs short of what was wanted.

Skipper Frith finished with 4-36 from 10 overs, with Doubell taking 3-37 off his 10.

It still looked a defendable total on a track that seemed unsuited for fast scoring, but Sparsholt set about the run-chase with attacking intent.

Frith and talented teenager Michael Haworth put on 51 in very quick time before Frith fell to a lightning stumping by Ben Wish off left-arm spinner George Keeley.

The visitors never relinquished their dominant position and Haworth play ed a pivotal role, batting throughout for 79 not out, hitting 13 fours and sharing another useful stand with Tim Vokes.

Sparsholt won by five wickets with nine overs to spare and must now be favourites for the Division Two title, leaving Rowledge to slug it out with at least two other teams for second place.

The game drew glowing praise from standing South Coast Panel umpire Tim May.

Speaking against the background of growing on-field behavioural problems in Hampshire, May described the Rowledge-Sparsholt match as “the most impeccably well-behaved game of cricket I have umpired in a very long time.

“Both teams merrily chatted long after stumps with their opponents and the two umpires. It was a very pleasant throw-back to the old days.”

Rowledge travel to Tichborne Park this Saturday, while Sparsholt – on a run of nine consecutive wins – face second-placed Waterlooville in another crunch game.