ODIHAM & Greywell under-11s retained their Hampshire County Cup as they beat St Cross by nine runs at the Nursery Ground at the Ageas Bowl.

Having not won a county cup in 249 years until last season, it was a great for the Odiham youngsters to triumph again in the club’s 250th anniversary year.

Having been put in to bat, Odiham struggled against a strong St Cross bowling attack, reaching 40-4 off 12 overs.

Archie Del Mar and George Guy then put on 38 runs in five overs, with a further 25 coming off the last 18 balls, which took the total to 100-7 from their 20 overs.

Del Mar, who retired on 32 off just 25 balls, was their top scorer, being well supported by Guy (11).

The St Cross reply started well as they reached 60-4 off 11 overs.

At this point, Odiham’s bowlers turned the game around, aided by some excellent fielding.

The next five overs yielded just 10 runs, which left the Winchester side needing 31 off the last four overs and then 15 off the final six balls.

They only managed five runs as they finished on 91-9, Odiham winning by nine runs.

Stephen Moss (3-16) was the pick of the bowlers, while Guy (1-4) and Max Guibeleguiet (0-6) from their two overs, put the brakes on St Cross.

Odiham captain Moss, Del Mar and Guy were also members of last year’s county cup winning team.

It completed a league and cup double for Odiham’s under-11s as they won the North Hampshire League with a perfect record from their 14 games.

The under-13s also won their league and were beaten finalists in the Hampshire Cup, losing to St Cross.