SARISBURY Athletic’s reign as ECB indoor sixes cricket champions has ended – before they even got on the road to next year’s national championship finals at Lord’s.

A five-wicket defeat by Havant in what was effectively a county final at the Ageas Bowl means they will not be defending their coveted crown in the New Year.

Instead, Havant will represent Hampshire and host Berkshire champions Theale & Tilehurst in the 2016 ECB qualifier at Fareham on February 14, writes Mike Vimpany.

Havant only squeezed home by three runs against Hook & Newnham Basics, but were emphatic winners after restricting Sarisbury to a modest 108-5.

Sarisbury owed much to tail-ender James Ingram for their eventual total – but were unable stop Havant sauntering home with two overs to spare.

Simon Loat and Ben Walker each made 26 before retiring for Havant.

Ironically, Sarisbury’s defence of the county title they have won for the past two years began on a positive start with Matt Journeuaux hitting an unbeaten 53 and Ricky Rawlins hitting 32 not out in a decent 137-5 against Hook & Newnham Basics.

Close Hook, who had run Havant so close and may be should have beaten the eventual winners, managed only 80, with teenager Liam Doran (31) top scoring.

Havant almost came unstuck in a tightly contested affair against Hook who, with better running between the wickets at the end, might well have won.

Richard Hindley and Ben Walker both retired for Havant, who looked in trouble after reaching 96 before losing their first wicket in the tenth over.

Results – Havant 119-3 (Walker 26*, Hindley 26*, May 2-27) Hook & Newnham Basics 116-4 (Hobday 31, Robson 29*, Doran 19, Brewer 17, Hindley 2-24) Havant won by three runs.

Sarisbury Athletic 137-5 (Journeaux 53*, Rawlings 32, Divecha 2-25, Doran 2-31) Hook & Newnham Basics 80 (Doran 31, Stuart-Hill 2-8) Sarisbury Athletic won by 57 runs.

Sarisbury Athletic 108-5 (Ingram 23*, Rawlings 15, Hindley 2-10) Havant 111-1 (S Loat 27*, Walker 26*, Hindley 19*, Hovey 17) Havant won by five wickets.