RUPERT Armstrong almost caused Hook & Newnham Basics' Southern Premier Division 1 match at Hambledon to be abandoned because of his destructive hitting.

He launched nine huge sixes out of Hambledon's Ridge Meadow ground almost causing the village club to run out of white balls, writes Mike Vimpany.

Hambledon officials were scrambling around in the pavilion cupboards looking for spares as Armstrong smashed a breath-taking 92 off 55 balls to set up a 60-run Hook victory.

"With us using white (instead of the traditional red) balls in Division 1 this season, there's not a ready made supply of spares, but we got through in the end," Armstrong laughed.

With Dan Mugford taking 4-46, Hook weren't in the best state of health at 144-5 (Oli James 31) when Armstrong arrived at the crease but as sixes and fours whistled around the ground off his bat, the complexion of the game changed completely.

In-form opener Harry Warner (80) was already well set but was content to play the support role as the lanky Armstrong used his reach to power 82 of his 92 runs in boundaries.

The pair added 130 as Hook surged to 296-9.

Chris Pratt (46) and Justin Behrens (57) responded to take Hambledon's reply to 103-1, but spinner Will Gardner (5-38) began his maiden Premier League nap hand haul by removing the dangermen.

The Dons, up until now competitive, sagged to 147-6 before teenage gloveman Mark Butcher (50) weighed in with his first SPL fifty before the innings closed at 238-9.