New Forest U16s went close to defending the Ageas U16 Indoor Cup they won last year but after beating South Wilts with a strong performance in their first game they just ran out of steam against an excellent Havant side in the round robin final format and eventually finished runners-up.

New Forest 145-5 beat South Wilts 133-2 by 12 runs

Batting first New Forest started securely until Jack Harris (10) was caught and bowled by Ben Higton (3-0-23-4) who opened up his excellent spell with a wicket maiden. Coming together when the score was 32-1 the New Forest's leading batsmen, Josh Royan (51) and Daniel Bailey (27), then took control of the game and both batted through to individual retirements. Toby Mills (22 no) did well to stabilise the back end of the innings and to provide a willing partner for Royan who returned to complete a well earned half century with the New Forest finishing on 145-5.

The South Wilts openers Ed Wade (27 no) and Ben Higton (27 no) batted solidly in the face of accurate New Forest bowling and at the mid way point there was nothing between the teams. But South Wilts couldn't quite match the acceleration New Forest had shown earlier as a good spell from Daniel Bailey (3-0-26-0), an excellent run out from Royan and a catch from his brother in Joshua Bailey's (3-0-24-1) fine last over kept the run rate in check. A late counter attack by Sean Montgomery (23 no) and James Brewer (14 no) took South Wilts to 133-2 but New Forest were home safe by then.

New Forest 100-5 lost to Havant 101-1 by 5 wkts

After a quick turnaround New Forest were asked to bat. The opening pair of Josh Royan (39 no) and Sam Presland (12) battled to build a platform in the face of excellent spells from Alfie Taw (3-0-24-1) and Charlie Dean (3-0-25-0). With scoreboard pressure building Presland was the first to be run out as he looked to generate some momentum. Daniel Bailey (28) then joined Royan and both again played well to retire but the rate never approached the levels that the New Forest were likely to need to establish a competitive target. Joshua Bailey was well caught as he had to attack and Toby Mills and Jack Harris were also run out in the necessary pursuit of quick runs as the overs dwindled. The returning Royan was the last man standing at the end but the total of 100-5 was some way short of where the New Forest needed to be.

Unlikely to win without taking all 6 wickets New Forest were given hope when Joshua Bailey (3-0-35-1) bowled Southern Vipers’ Charlie Dean (7) with a textbook googly in his first over. Josh Royan (3-0-35-0) had little luck as he bowled through in an attempt to blast out the top order but Ollie Perkins (28 no) and Freddie Gadd (26 no) were resolute and found the gaps well. Havant were always well ahead of the rate required and despite the efforts of Daniel Bailey (1-0-9-0), Sam Presland (1-0-10-0) and Toby Mills (1.1-0-10-1) and tidy glove work from Jack Harris a Havant victory never looked in doubt as they reached their target in the 10th over. So there was disappointment in a first loss of the season for the New Forest boys but congratulations to Havant who also beat South Wilts by 4 wickets in the final match of the evening and deservedly captured the Cup. After a short break the New Forest will be back in league action in March with the league playoffs on the horizon after the final series of group games.

Photo caption: New Forest U16s. Back row - Daniel Bailey, Jack Harris, Joshua Bailey. Front row - Sam Presland, Josh Royan, Toby Mills