Southampton Oval: (PHC won toss) Flatts beat PHC by four wickets.

Despite failing to muster a team the day previous and fielding just nine men for much of the PHC innings, Flatts were undaunted in their approach and execution in this Athene T20 League First Division encounter.

In the face of a stringent Flatts bowling attack, the PHC opening pair of Kevin Lambe and Dionte Dowling, were unable to take advantage of the opening power play and tremendous gaps in the field, managing just eight runs off the first three overs and 19 from the initial five.

By the time ten overs had been bowled the scoreboard read 46 without loss, however concern was brewing among as to the slow run rate.

And when the pair of Lambe and Dowling attempted to press, wickets began falling, with Lambe dancing down the wicket to the tempting, right-arm medium of Kijuan Franks and being stumped by Regino Smith for 16 from 31 balls.

Jamori Beach bothered the scorers for just a single before he was bowled by Jahmai Douglas, while top scorer, Dowling, perished in similar fashion after playing a key part in a 27-run third wicket partnership with Darrien Gibbons (14 not out), as PHC’s scoring struggles continued into the middle order.

Douglas was the leading wicket-taker for Flatts, with two for 19, while Paul Carr Harvey and Smith claimed one apiece.

South African born Jan-Johan Nel once again led Flatts’ response to the target set by the opposition, his team-high knock of 31 at the top of the order proving crucial to his side being able to overcome, in spite of their numerical shortcomings.

Nel’s tally came from 29 balls and included three boundaries.

Flatts weathered a mini collapse that saw them lose captain Dajon Carey (two), Kevin Hurdle (three) and Regino Smith without scoring, as they tumbled from 40 for one to 68 for four, before matters stabilised and they were able to coast home.

Diminutive Swadesh Gond assisted the cause with 13 at No 5, while Nelson Bascome (18 not out) shepherded the late order.

“I think we made it a little harder than we had to, but the team dug in with the ball and the bat and did what we had to do to win,” said captain Dajon Carey.

“Since we had encountered them a few times already this season, we were able to figure out better positioning and my bowlers were on the money early and able to contain things, limit the boundaries to one an over and keep the extras down.

“So once you keep the run rate intact, down to four runs an over for the first ten, it positions you to have them come to you and have to try and hit the ball over you and try to dictate, but our fielding was on point and we were able to get the win.”

PHC

+K Lambe st Franks b Smith 16

*D Dowling b Douglas 38

J Beach b Douglas 1

D Gibbons not out 14

J Fishlock b Carr Harvey C Clark not out 5

Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-16) 22

Total (4 wkts; 20 overs) 96

Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-50, 3-77, 4-79.

C Waldron, C Symons, D Adams, E Bean and Q Basden did not bat

Bowling: Bascome 2-1-4-0; Franks 4-0-16-0; Smith 4-0-24-1; Hurdle 4-0-14-0; Douglas 4-0-19-2; Carr Harvey 2-0-13-1.

Flatts

JJ Nel c Lambe b Beach 31

D Carey lbw b Dowling 2

K Hurdle c Fishlock b Gibbons 3

R Smith b Fishlock 0

N Bascome not out 18

S Gond c Clark b Fi 13

L Phillips run out 2

K Franks not out 0

Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-3, w-23) 28

Total (6 wkts; 15.2 overs) 97

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-40, 3-48, 4-68, 5-92, 6-96.

J Douglas, J Carey, P Carr Harvey and T Armstrong did not bat

Bowling: Dowling 1-0-18-1; Gibbons 4-0-13-1; Fishlock 3-0-34-2; Beach 4-0-22-1; Symons 3.2-0-8-0.

Umpires: C Brangman, L Williams

ATHENE T20 FIRST DIVISION

P W L T NR Pts NRR

St David’s 9 9 0 0 0 90 2.943

Willow Cuts 9 6 3 0 0 60 0.560

Flatts 9 4 5 0 0 40 0.233

Devonshire 9 4 5 0 0 40 -1.002

S Bridge 9 2 7 0 0 20 -0.849

PHC 9 2 7 0 0 20 -1.890