A sublime 111 from Phil Barnes couldn’t stop Long Sutton Sunday 2nd from slipping to a four-wicket loss at Hampton on Sunday.
The experienced opener was the mainstay of Sutton’s innings in Rutland League Division Seven, as they made 192-9 in 45 overs.
But hosts Hampton reached their target in the 42nd over to leave a youthful Sutton deflated.
After losing the toss and being put into bat on a worn pitch, the visitors were always up against it.
Skipper Barnes and Tom Gutteridge (7) started watchfully and reached 32 before the latter fell. Jordan Keeble (4), Luke Barnes (1) and Alex Canham (4) all came and went before Stef Fox did the required job by rotating the strike and protecting his wicket.
Captain Barnes moved past 50 and then began to accelerate before the defiant Fox (11) eventually fell in the 33rd over with the score on 117.
Sutton’s young tail batted maturely allowing their skipper to reach a well-deserved century, before finally being dismissed for a superb 111.
Hampton started strongly in reply, before Alex Canham (1-50) and Ellie Burton (1-27) removed the openers.
Hampton then regrouped and looked comfortable before a grubber from there returning Rajan Sangha (1-25) and a direct hit run out from Craig Milnes threw the game back into the balance.
However, hosts Hampton held their nerve to reach their target with just 14 balls left – despite a run out from Sangha and a wicket from Keeble (1-45).
