Amport v Easton and Martyr Worthy.

Amport first team got their league season off to the perfect start with a maximum points win over Easton and Martyr Worthy, in Hampshire County Division Two.

New skipper Lee Ayers was delighted to win the toss and elected to bat and openers Ben Parkyn and Dan Holewell were steady in the initial overs, as the Easton bowlers grew in confidence. The first 50 partnership of the league season came in the 14 over and everything was looking good for the home side until a mix up saw the unfortunate Holewell run out for eight.. Nick Bone joined the impressive Parkyn and looked to add runs at an increasing rate, safe in the knowledge that Amport boast a very deep batting line up this year. The next 50 runs came in just nine overs, before Bone (33) was caught off the bowling of Carrick. The innings continued to gather pace as Ian Langdown (27) and Dean Woodhouse (29), continuing his form with the bat, added their runs quickly.

Parkyn was finally caught mistiming a shot on 70, but by this point the ground had been laid for a strong total.

Adie Holewell (30) was reminiscent of his old self at Amport again as he helped steer the tail through to the close, when Alex Ayers was the last wicket to fall the score had reached a very creditable 239.

With a big score to chase, Easton needed to get going early, which to their credit they did, going at five an over from the off. The introduction of this season’s golden arm Woodhouse, soon gave Amport the upper hand. Striking twice in his first over, Dean, well supported by Parkyn (2-28) ran through the Easton middle order, finishing with excellent figures of 4-27.

At that point Easton were out of the game, and they were roundly finished off by the pace of Brandon Smith returning 1-13 and accuracy of Peet Van Der Wiesthuizen (2-1). The Easton inning closed in the 22nd over, all out for 83.