Hampshire finish campaign in tight Eagles success
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS concluded their ultimately unsuccessful Vitality Blast canpaign with victory as they hosted Essex Eagles on Friday evening; eventually beating their opponents by just seven runs following a hard-fought and ‘intriguing’ Twenty-20 encounter watched by a massive crowd at the Utilita Bowl as supporters basked in the dry sunny conditions.
Ben McDermott and James Vinces began brilliantly after being required to bat first; the ‘skipper’ blasting Simon Harmer for three straight boundaries in the second over before McDermott finally reached his full stride. He hit Eathan Bosch in two fours and added a maximum to reach the fifty in just 39 balls; which displayed a mix of brutal and inventive strokes.
This opening partnership combned for 97-0 before the first wicket fell to end this twelfth over as Vince (41) was bowled by Benkenstein; their next batsman Tom Prest responding with eighteen runs in the over including multiple boundaries. He moved the score to 134-1 alongside McDermott (64) who was caught playing a looped shot off Shane Snater’s ball.
Benny Howell (1) then followed as Essex produced a good period of death bowling to reduce Hampshire to 155-5; Paul Walter removing both Prest (41) and Liam Dawson for a duck during the eighteenth over. But Joe Weatherley (21*) and Toby Albert (10*) did prevent more casualties as they added 26 runs from two overs to end this home innings on 181-5.
Essex started their response in disastrous fashion as they lost Adam Rossington for zero off the first ball to Chris Wood who took his second wicket in Dean Elgar (2) to leave the visitors 4-2. Martin Pepper and Walter combined with a great partnership of thirty seven runs in four overs before they were both out to John Turner before the powerplay concluded.
Turner earnt his third wicket as he caught Matt Critchley (4) off his own bowling in the eighth over; which left the Eagles struggling on 58-5 and facing a huge collapse. Instead Benkenstein and Charlie Allison launched a good rearguard that yielded multiple boundaries during the middle over period as they pushed the away batters beyond their hundred mark.
This outstanding partnership saw both batsmen secure their fifties and brought them within forty runs of a victory in just three overs; Eddie Jack switching the match as he removed Benkenstein for 54. Allison continued to be unbeaten in his sixty nine runs at the end but lost another partner in Simon Harmer to Turner, who sealed victory for a career best 4-23.
The Hawks have since exited the Vitality Blast T-20 as they finished seventh in the “south group” and four points off the quarter final positions; which would have been their target when this competition started in late May. Attentions will now turn to the One Day Cup beginning on Friday (July 26) which will see Hampshire play Northamptonshire in their 1st tie.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (2XJPJMG): Hampshire celebrate removing large wicket of Benkenstein as they win by 7 runs.
