Wherwell v Whiteparish II On what was a wet couple of days leading up to this match, there was doubt as to the game would be played, but a tarpaulin cover of the pitch protected that and the outfield dried out from the sunshine Saturday morning and the game was on.

Wherwell won the toss and fielded with some cloud cover and moisture in the pitch. Whiteparish II got off to a very slow start with the opening bowling attack keeping the runs down although not taking any wickets. There was then a rain interruption for 40 minutes and tea was taken, which meant the Duckworth Lewis method came into effect for Wherwell's innings. Once the rain stopped Whiteparish finished off their innings at 151-6 off 42 overs. After calculations Wherwell needed 137 off 35 overs, but a bad start was made and Wherwell were in a spot of bother at 4-3. A valiant 38 from Stu Norridge and 26 from Nigel Horne was not enough, with the latter being out to a stunning catch with just 20 required.

However it was not to be and Wherwell were bowled out in the 28th over for 118.

A KNIGHT in shining armour came to the rescue of Longparish Cricket Club on Sunday when they were due to stage the Barker, Son and Isherwood Village six-a-side knock out.

The Longparish ground resembled a Chinese paddy field but near neighbours Wherwell kindly offered the use of their ground and the excellent facilities which go with it which was a very generous gesture. Five teams took part in the battle of the Test Valley villages, Amport, Hurstbourne Priors, Longparish, St Mary Bourne and Wherwell. Each played all the others and the eventual winners after severalk close matches were Longparish with four wins and eight points ahead of St Mary Bourne with three wins. The U18 youth award went to Tommy Trinder from Hurstbourne Priors.

Representing the sponsors, Richard Gregory made then presentations but the real winners was the game of cricket and the excellent sportsmanship by all who took part.

Wherwell's gesture has led to Longparish offering to reciprocate in any way during the rest of the season