Trophy test too much for Board

Any prospects of emulating last season's heights when the county's young Development squad knocked out Suffolk and Shropshire to reach the third round were dashed by Huntingdonshire at Cove yesterday.

The Hampshire team, containing seven teenagers, lost by 28 runs to their more experienced Fenland opponents.

Raj Maru's fledglings, four of whom have yet to even sample the demands of Southern League cricket, had their moments in a low-scoring first round tie. And a three-wicket burst by Rowledge youngster Chris Yates (3-17) sent Huntingdonshire reeling from 67-1 to 89-6.

But, aided by some loose bowling, Hampshire gifted their opponents 43 extras, including 23 wides and eight no-balls, as Huntingdonshire wriggled clear to reach 148-8 off 50 overs.

On a damp, low pitch, from which bowlers extracted movement throughout, that total proved too many for the Hampshire Board, who lost six wickets before the lower order launched any telling resistance.

Burridge newcomer Ross Hunter, whose 33 was the highest individual score of the match, and Chris Tremlett, who earlier took 2-35, doubled the total from a lame 53-6 to 110-7.

But the damage had been done. Hampshire's tail did its best as the reply closed at 120 all out.

Scores: Huntingdonshire 148-8 (Burton 28, Berrill 25, Malton 24, Yates 3-17, Miller 2-35, Tremlett 2-35) Hampshire Board 120 (Hunter 33, Young 3-22, Burton 2-22).

Winchester KS batsman Jimmy Taylor picked up a NatWest Trophy Gold award after steering Wiltshire to a shock first-round victory over Scotland at South Wilts.

Taylor rescued Wiltshire from a worrying 18-3 after Bashley (Rydal) seamer Kevin Nash (3-10 in seven overs) had helped skittle the Scots for 93.

But Taylor's undefeated 36 guided Wiltshire to a seven-wicket win and to an away tie against the Middlesex Recreational Board in round two.

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