Seventh heaven for St Cross as they take title

St Cross Symondians (159 for 4) beat Compton & Chandler's Ford (139 for 8) by 20 runs

ST CROSS recaptured the Tichborne Trophy for the first time in almost half a century with their success at Hursley Park on Monday night.

It was their seventh appearance in the final since 1957 and this time they came up trumps, largely due to the last three overs of their innings.

The SPL Division 2 side started as clear favourites against their County 2 opponents and skipper Mark Padwick gave them a good start.

He shared a profitable second wicket partnership with Stuart Charman (26) and went on to reach an accomplished 46 himself before taking his leave.

The run rate dropped for an over or two, but some brisk running by Graham Barrett (32no) and Steve Postle, aided by some panic-stricken fielding by their opponents, boosted the total to what looked to be a winning 20-over score.

Paddy Pritchard returned the best bowling figures with 3 for 32 in his five overs.

Compton began slowly, with Andy Gorty attempting, unsuccessfully, to play shots from somewhere near square leg against the lively pairing of Charman and Richard Boote.

Pritchard (21) came in to force things along and Laurie Scott boosted Compton's hopes with a massive straight six. But he was bowled next ball and with him went the chances of a close finish.

Charman and Matt Perry-Lewis both claimed 2 for 29 as the match ended in very gloomy light shortly after nine o'clock.