Matovu destroys rivals

Hambledon under-13s stretched their unbeaten league run to eight matches

The young Dons took on an inexperienced Purbrook side at the Heath - and were under early pressure with the bat.

Thomas Coyle (15), Archie Bennett (30) and Tom Bloomer (15) ensured they crept up to 111 for nine, though.

After the break, Hambledon raised their game to bowl Purbrook out for just 26.

Louis Matovu did the damage with four for four, while the other wickets went to Henry Glanfield, Guy Mullins, Matt Price and Archie Bennett.

The Champagne moment, though, was a stop and 30-yard throw for a direct hit at one stump by Matovu.

There was even time for 10-year-old Freddie Besly to announce himself on the scene with a spell of two overs, two maidens on his under-13 A debut.

Portsmouth & Southsea opponents were next up - as both sides put their unbeaten records on the line.

The Dons were soon in trouble, losing both openers, however, Matovu and Glanfield put together a third-wicket partnership of 58 to get the innings heading in the right direction.

Matovu retired on 30 and Glanfield made 28, while Tom Toogood chipped in with a rapid 12 to help the tail wag a little.

However, the total of 107 for six did not look enough on a very quick out field at Ridge Meadow.

Portsmouth & Southsea, missing a number of their star players, were soon in trouble, though.

Ollie Kanavan was run out by Mullins and Dan Cox soon followed to a catch by Glanfield off Toogood's bowling.

However, it was the introduction of Matovu and Freddie Martin into the attack which caused the collapse of the young P&S side's innings.

Matovu took five for eight and Martin two for nine, while Glanfield grabbed the other wicket as the visitors could only muster 30 all out in the face of a fine bowling and fielding performance.