Petersfield’s second team started their season with a six-run defeat at Kerala’s third team in Division Five South East of the Hampshire Cricket League on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat on a gorgeous day. Petersfield started strongly with captain Steve Gibson (three for 22) and Rob Allerston (one for 15) setting the tone with some early wickets and economic bowling. First change bowlers Adam De Swardt (two for 18) and Archie Maclean (one for 11) kept up the pressure. Kerala recovered well and some big hitting allowed them to post 139 all out. Rich Stephens (one for 31) and Tom Horwood (one for 32) claimed a wicket apiece.

Kerala started well in the field, with probing deliveries accounting for Horwood (14) and Jake Hastie (nine) early on. De Swardt (31) and James Longland (11) led the recovery to leave Petersfield needing around four runs an over from the last 20 overs. Kerala bowled well and Petersfield steadily lost wickets as the innings wore on. Despite a valiant knock from debutant Ned Kelly (18 not out) and Allerston (two) emerging from his sick bed for the final over, Petersfield were bowled out for 133.

Petersfield’s third team crashed to a comprehensive 269-run defeat at Bentworth in Division Six North East of the Hampshire Cricket League on Saturday.

Petersfield fielded a third team after a gap of nearly five years. Skipper Will Oatley won the toss and elected to field first. Adam Kidd (one for 26) picked up his first league wicket in his first over. Alex Morrison (one for 47) then removed Tim Gay leg before wicket as Petersfield made a bright start. Nicholas Gay (56), Ed Rees (110 not out) and Matt Mitchell (56) piled on the runs as Bentworth scored 336 for eight. Stuart Kidd (three for 39), Charlie Wood (two for 38) and Holly Haynes (one for 77) shared the last six wickets. Petersfield’s reply never got going. Dave Squires (22), Oatley (ten) and Wood (11) were the only batters to reach double figures as the visitors were bowled out for 67.