King fires Hampshire to a national cup win (From Basingstoke Gazette)

But it's disappointment for Basingstoke and North Hants in their final

1:00pm Saturday 10th September 2011 in Cricket

BASINGSTOKE and North Hants pace bowling prospect Matt King helped Hampshire to victory in the ECB Under-17 County Cup as they beat Durham by three wickets in the final at Kibworth.

Although not at his best after suffering facial injuries at an England Under-17 fielding session in Glasgow the previous week, King opening the bowling and took 1-40 in his six overs.

Durham made 195-9 in their rain trimmed 42 overs – a target Hampshire chased down to win by three wickets with seven balls to spare.

Winklebury-based King had been earmarked to make his debut for the England Elite Player Development Under-17 squad against the Scotland National Academy in Glasgow.

But the day before the game he was taken to hospital and subsequently flown home after being injured in a training drill.

He ended up needing stitches inserted in cuts around his jaw and mouth.

King was unlucky not to make it a winning double on Monday as rain washed away Basingstoke’s hopes of victory in the Bertie Joel Cup final as they lost by five wickets to Cambridge Granta at Sutton .

Their opponents the East Anglian League champions and National Club Cup finalists, looked to be struggling at 60-4 when the players were forced from the field.

Returning and playing with a wet ball, the Bountymen found it hard to take any more wickets, as Ben Creese with an unbeaten 74 steered his side home.

Earlier, Basingstoke recovered from 25-5 to 155 all out in their full 45 overs thanks to Chris Froud (50), Craig Williamson (23 not out) and Dan Coombs (21).