Sarisbury bear fruit

Sarisbury Athletic were celebrating after winning the Hampshire Cricket League - the biggest in the country.

Captained by Paul Friedrich, the side won won 12 of their 15 matches to pip Portsmouth & Southsea to the title.

Pete Hammond, a former Hampshire second teamer, led the way with the bat, scoring 636 runs at an average of 53, including three centuries.

Sarisbury were led to glory by Paul Friedrich

He was given excellent support by Simon Orr and Matt Journeaux who scored 535 and 469 respectively while Colin Day cracked a fine century.

Phil Jewell took the most wickets, 28, closely followed by the skipper who finished three shy of that tally.

Impressive teenagers Tom Clarke and Sean O'Toole claimed 40 wickets between them but the best average went to the miserly Keith Hammond who took 17 wickets at less than 14 apiece.

Sarisbury, who included nine former colts in their victorious side, now look forward to competing in the Southern League.