HAMPSHIRE batsman Jimmy Adams’ unbeaten century led St Cross Symondians to an eight-wicket victory against struggling Burridge.

The former Hampshire captain scored 102 not out as St Cross successfully chased down Burridge’s 217-9 to win by eight wickets with seven overs to spare, writes Mike Vimpany.

He hit a six and 11 fours – and also took a wicket in a rare left-arm bowl, trapping opener Joe Collings-Wells lbw in a six-over spell.

But Adams was essentially in the St Cross team to bat – and will probably play against Alton this Saturday.

He relished the opportunity. “It’s always nice to have 20-plus overs in the middle, I started to find a bit of rhythm towards the end,” he said.

Adams said his Southern Electric Premier League century was far from easy.

“It was quite hard work up front. I thought the Burridge new-ball pair bowled really nicely. They had a bit of assistance, but so did we.

“Batting was all about having patience up front and naturally it got easier the longer I spent at the crease.”

Adams hopes this century gets him back into form for Hampshire.

“This year’s been tough and the last two months have been really wretched. I haven’t really managed to get past the new ball and as an opener that’s your first port of call. “You want to score 1,000 runs, score a few hundreds along the way and average 40-odd.

“It hasn’t happened and that’s one of the main reasons why I came back to St Cross, to feel bat on ball for a decent period of time.

Adams opened with Hampshire academy star Joe Weatherley (25) who had taken 4-44 with his off-spin.

St Cross seamer Matthew Stokes (3-26) took a hat-trick.