Match report: Totton & Eling CC (327-9) put in a heroic run chase that fell just short of a colossal Hook & Newnham Basics CC (343-8) total in the Southern Premier Cricket League (SPCL) Division One

Totton & Eling came off second best in a match that had everything, losing by 16 runs in a high-scoring run-fest against Hook & Newnham Basics at the King George V Recreation Ground on Saturday.

It was a match that had everything: 100 overs, 650 runs, and an unexpected break in play due to rain.

Hook won the toss and elected to bat, and after the early loss of Matthew Buckingham (7), Charlie Neville (56) and Thomas Dyer (40) set about their work, taking the score to 111 for the second wicket.

The Hook middle-order progressed the score to 153-6 before some hard-hitting batting from Josh Buckingham (48), Oliver James (28), and Will Wyatt seemed to push the score seemingly away from Totton’s reach.

Wyatt’s innings came off 44 balls and included eight fours and four sixes.

With a final flourish from Wyatt (79 not out), Hook finished their 50 overs on 343-8.

The pick on Totton’s bowlers was Rajet Parmar with 3 for 63, while the other wickets came from Brighton Mugochi (2-69), Kegan Holzmann (1-23), Bothwell Chapungu (1-42), and Matthew Simms (1-67).

Totton’s reply was not helped by losing two batsmen, Alvin Tshepang Ditole (0) and Bothwell Chapungu (4), in the first over from Lewis Watts (2-53).

However, Rajet Parar (79) and Joe Baker (28) recovered with a fourth-wicket partnership of 107 runs.

Wickets fell steadily, leaving Totton at 206-8 before a breathtaking ninth wicket partner of 104 between Josh May (65) and Mathew Simms (55) took Totton to almost within touching distance of Hook with a score of 327.

The pick of Hook’s bowlers was Aniket Divecha, with 3-44.

Totton & Eling play at their Southern Gardens home on Saturday when they host Waterlooville at 12.30pm.