Hibberd haul sets new record

Record-breaker Hibberd

James Hibberd of South Wilts shattered the ECB Southern Electric Premier League record for the most number of wickets taken in a season.

His 5-24 return in his club's crushing 187-run defeat of Hursley Park at Lower Bemerton took his tally for the summer to a new record of 53 wickets beating the previous best haul of 48 by Totton & Eling left-armer Dan Goldstraw in 2002.

“Obviously, it was a proud moment for me when I beat Dan’s record and, with two games left, I’ll have plenty to play for with those other two milestones at my finger tips,” Hibberd said.

South Wilts had earlier posted 261 for six, with Tom Morton (101) and Eddie Abel (59) sharing a 168-run opening partnership – the club’s second SPL highest.

In reply Hursley Park were dismissed for a meagre 74 in 22.4 overs, before even the mid-innings drinks were served.

The 187-run defeat means that Hursley Park must beat St Cross Symondians at the Royal Green Jackets Ground on Saturday to stand any hope of avoiding the wooden spoon position.

They are now 17 points adrift of Alton, who gave their survival prospects a massive boost with a 12-run win over Andover at the Jubilee Ground.

It was a third Alton’s third win in the past four matches.

Richie Morgan’s quick-fire 66, which contained five sixes lit the fuse as Alton posted 195 for eight (Michael Heffernan 30).

Mark Miller took 4-22 for Andover, who lurched to 22 for two after two early strikes by Jerry Pang-Kessler (3-35).

But the balance changed after a century-plus partnership between Uwe Birkenstock (71) and Richard Taylor (53) eased Andover to 134 for two but with 62 more runs needed and eight wickets in hand, Andover crumbled to 183 for eight after successive spates of three-wickets.