What a glorious day was had by those who gathered together for the annual visit to the Utilita Bowl, Harefield, for Hampshire Vitality Blast cricket. The day started out at 08:00 with pickups around Portland for the onward journey to Hedge End Park for breakfast and use of facilities! We did manage to lose S/m Steve for a few minutes!!
There was a short journey after to the parking area in Utilita Bowl before Shipmates found their seats in the popular West side of the stadium which offered a magnificent view of the days matches.
The first match was Hampshire Hawks ladies vs Lancashire Thunder ladies which Hawkes won in emphatic style, with Hawkes scoring 135-1 (14.3) after putting Lancashire Ladies in to bat first and restricting them to 131 all out (19.4 overs). Hampshire Hawks ladies won by 9 wickets, a result that took them to the top of the Vitality Blast Women’s Table.
A break was taken for further replenishment of fluids and lunch after which the men’s game commenced with Hampshire Hawkes vs Kent Spitfires, who had previously beaten Hawkes by 7 wickets. Batting first, Hawkes manages a respectable
190-3 (20 overs). Kent Spitfires returned with a blistering run rate which was curtailed by some excellent bowling with several wickets being taken in quick succession to restrict Spitfires to 171 all out (19.2 overs), Hawkes won by 19 runs!
Shipmate Nigel then had to endure the parking exit ‘rush’ with 3 lanes converging to exit onto the main road and head West. Shipmates eventual reached home having had an excellent day out.
Many thanks to S/m Dave for organising the trip but who sadly could not come with us, to S/m Nige for driving the minibus without whom the trip would not have happened and to S/m’s Dusty, Dodger, Roger, Doc, Lynne, Vaughan, Steve and Bob for the excellent company.