Longparish lost by 6 runs in the HCB indoor cricket championships held at the Ageas Bowl to determine which club would represent the county in the ECB National Championships. The only representative from the Hampshire Leagues, Longparish faced stiff competition from four Southern Premier league sides and Southampton University who Longparish faced in an eliminator after Waterlooville had trounced Basingstoke & NH, and Hook had been caught out by an impressive Sarisbury side. 

Fielding first, Longparish started superbly as William de Cani threw down the stumps to take the wicket of Podmore with the first ball of the match, but a talented Southampton University batting line up dug in and accumulated runs at around 10 runs an over. Matt Jackman cleaned up Rob Willway and further run outs followed as Southampton University closed on 140 for 4 from their 12 overs. 

The Longparish reply started well and for four overs the required run rate was comfortably maintained, but Matt Jackman fell to the wiles of Price for 12, William de Cani,19 and George Kousseff submitted to Willway's sharp spin and Alex Coetzee was bowled by Warner with only half of the required total achieved, so with not many overs remaining, enter the Longparish rescue crew of Barry Blackmore and Ben Gardner who biffed and dashed their way to within six runs of the target with Blackmore unbeaten on 33 and Gardner unbeaten on 26.

A fantastic achievement for  Longparish cricket club, who continue to punch well above their weight with a fraction of  the squad size available to the opposition. 

Thanks to all who turned out to support our almost indomitable side at the Ageas Bowl, and well done to the team for a superb effort.