JIMMY Hawkings claimed his first five-wicket haul for Ropley in their opening Hampshire League County One match away to Totton & Eling II. Ropley won by a massive 220 runs.

They got off to a flying start as skipper Alexander Stogdon (26) and Andrew Walker (39) put on 68 in eight overs. Tom Wood (39) and Alex Spencer (45) played more measured innings and then South African Tim Niemand (34), in his first league outing for the club, Dan Lentz (27 not out) and Seb Newens (27) saw Ropley to an impressive 302-8 in their 50 overs.

Seventeen-year-old swing bowler Hawkings kept a good line and length to dismiss Totton’s top order and mop up the tail in two impressive spells, finishing with 5-9. Only three batsmen reached double figures, and with Alex Spencer taking three catches behind the stumps, Totton were dismissed for just 82.

Relegated Alton II got off to a strong start back in County One, winning by seven wickets at Bishops Waltham. Steve Ball (3-8) and Michael Salmon bowled tightly early on and then Bishop Waltham struggled against the spin of Lee Partner (5-34).

Alton supported their bowlers with superb fielding and only a rearguard action from old Altonian Robbie Pitts-Mellan (13 not out) got the home side up to 109.

Alton took 12 off the first over, with Andrew Postles (31) on the attack. Ryan Hale (20), Richard Anthony (29 not out) and Lawrence Hughes then saw Alton home for the loss of only three wickets.

In County Four North, Old Alresford elected to bat at Holybourne and the decision to promote Mike Armitage to number 3 proved to be a match winner. His brilliant 129 included 24 fours and a six, and he shared a partnership of 137 with Ben Stanbrook (46).

Martin Emery (21), Richard Jackson (23 not out) and debutant Tony Duguid (11) helped Alresford to a formidable 279-6 from their 45 overs (J Patel 3-57, Harry Martin 2-34).

Patel (27), Harry Martin (28) and Xavia Bochereah (42 not out) put up some resistance for the hosts, but the target was well beyond them and Holybourne were dismissed for 155 in the 36th over (John Waters 2-22, Tony Duguid 2-15, Ben Stanbrook 3-25).

Alton III fell just two runs short as they attempted to chase down Whitchurch’s 209-3 (J Bevan 72 not out, R Osmond 64 not out). Experienced spinner Pat Sampson (1-27 in 10 overs) was Alton’s best bowler.

Howard Gadsby led Alton’s run-chase with a fine 84 and young Tom Green made 24. Ian Carpenter (23) lifted the run-rate by hitting 20 off an over and Alex Freeman contributed a patient 40 not out. But it wasn’t quite enough and Alton ended the day on 208-7.