He came into the match with a 2nd XI highest score of just 31 but Jack Austin hit the first century of the season for the club with a superb display against Sarisbury Athletic in the Division 2 clash at The Hollows.

Chasing down the unbeaten league leaders’ imposing 295-7, he buckled down in some adversity after seeing three partners come and go with just 48 on the board and, alongside Tom Perry, proceeded to add 129 for the fourth wicket.

Perry would go to a run out from the boundary for a well played 54 but Austin would be joined by Abdul Karimi, who put aside a back injury to smote 39 from 29 balls.

All the while, Austin would busily go about his business, hitting the bad ball to the boundary and also taking quick singles as he went to his first 2nd XI half-century in just 48 balls (10 fours) and then took only 35 more deliveries to go past his maiden club ton – surpassing the 71 he scored for the 3rd XI last season against Bournemouth IV at the Sports Centre.

Unfortunately, he would fall cruelly for a brilliant 106 (93 balls, 18 fours) when bowler Sanders got his fingers to a drive from Abdul which deflected onto the stumps with Jack short of his ground.

Like London buses, you wait all season for a club century and just 15 minutes later, news broke that Third XI captain Sam Dempster had guided his side to a much needed five wicket victory away at Hursley Park 3s.

Chasing Hursley’s 217-9, they were also in some trouble in the chase at 47-3 but Demps put the boot into the side from The Quarters for the second time this year as he smashed an 85-ball 107 (10 fours, 4 sixes) to take his side to their 220 target with 12.5 overs to spare – helped by Max Rovetto’s 36 in a 90-run stand for the fourth wicket and George Woodhall was much a spectator in his stand of 79 with Dempster – George’s contribution being just 12.

George did his the next ball after Demps’ dismissal for four for the winning runs to ensure the club didn’t go winless.

Well played both – let’s hope its not the last of the ‘jugs’ for the campaign!