“The Cradle of Cricket”

The 1st XI on Saturday made a return to winning form with a 109-run victory over New Milton.

The Dons posted a total of 338 for 5 from their 50 overs, built on a 228 run opening partnership between Chris Pratt and George Marshall, who was first to fall for 81. The opening stand of 228 is the highest in recent memory.

Chris went on to score 151 from 137 balls, including 24 fours and 2 sixes. Further contributions from Justin Behrens (51) and Will Parvin (24 not out) set a target for New Milton which was always going to be challenging. A four-wicket hall from Behrens, and wickets also for Dan Mugford, Ollie Bembridge and Ian Turner saw the visitors all out for 233, and a welcome win for the Dons after a run of losses.

Earlier in the day, Hambledon Youth player Seb Rowland received his 1st team cap, still a few weeks short of his 15th birthday. Although not called upon to bat, Seb kept wicket with great maturity, taking two catches and one stumping.

The 1sts will be hoping to build on this win this weekend as they host Ventnor at the Ridge...

Hambledon Cricket Club is delighted that former chairman David Mills has kindly agreed to become an Honorary Life Vice President of the club, in recognition of all his hard work as Chairman and his dedication to cricket in Hambledon.

David is a successful local businessman whose sons played for Hambledon. David said: “I am very pleased to join the esteemed body of Hambledon Vice Presidents. May I wish all the teams, from the youngest to the senior sides, great success in the season ahead.”
 
Current Chairman Mark Le-Clercq, who took over from David in 2011, said:

“At Hambledon Cricket Club, we have a long and distinguished history, going back all the way to the 1750s as the ‘cradle of Cricket’. It is important that we recognise previous Chairmen for their service to Hambledon and to the wider cricket community.”

Hambledon’s first century of the season was scored on Saturday by 14-year-old Lockie Mann, making his senior league debut, and setting up an unlikely victory for Jon Bridgman’s 4th XI in their first match.

With the team having struggled throughout the week even to field eleven players, things didn’t look good at the interval with Burridge 5ths having posted a daunting 228 for 3 from their 40 overs – quite a target at Broadhalfpenny Down!

Coming in at the fall of the third wicket, Lockie partnered first with skipper Jon Bridgman (30), and later with Stu Sheppard (38*), and reached 104 before being bowled just short of the target. But he’d done enough, and Stu Sheppard and Ian Craig were able to see the side home to victory with 2 wickets and 4 balls to spare.

The future looks bright for Lockie, who follows in the footsteps of brother Oscar, who scored two centuries last season in the 2nds, and dad David, who also scored a ton for the 2nds.

Well done to Jonty Oliver, whose performances with bat and ball in the preliminary round of the Village Cup last week earned him the title of Player of the Round.

The 112-run victory over Bramshaw saw Jonty make 45 from 37 balls, before wrapping the game up with 5-21 from 6.2 overs to clean up Bramshaw’s lower order.

Hambledon’s total had previously been set up by James Marshall with 65, and Henry Glanfield with 48, to post a total of 218 – which was always going to be a tough chase on a soft early-April wicket.

The victory sees Hambledon hosting Hursley Park in a round one clash at the Ridge on Sunday. Come along and give your support!

In addition to this website, there are many ways to keep up with the club on social media. Posts, chats, videos – you’ll find them all here.

And, for those who may have become disillusioned with the Elon Musk/Twitter soap opera, we have just added a Mastodon account (it’s like Twitter, but before it got rubbish...).

Here is the full list:

• Twitter: @hambledoncc
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