THE Nursery Ground at the Utilita Bowl hosted a Hampshire Cricket Board’s Super 9s disability team for the first time ever against a visiting Kent side in late May.

The Super 9s is the entry point into the disability performance pathway, with players then feeding into the D40 development squad, before progressing into the main D40 team.

Kent batted first, posting a competitive target of 134 from 30 overs, with Hampshire’s left-arm bowler Paul Mevin in good form, taking two wickets. 

Hampshire chased the target down in 20.1 overs to earn victory on a memorable day for their disability side.

The home side got off to a flying start in the run chase with Hayden Bond hitting a half-century before departing, due to a rule stating that players must depart at 50.

Connor Bates, Jo Legg and Woody Rose were the other batters for the hosts with Rose securing the victory by a margin of five wickets on an overcast day.

The Super 9s are led by captain Michael Powell, who is also the Hampshire Cricket Board's disability cricket development officer.

He also coaches on the Lords Taverners Super 1s disability cricket programme and has been part of Hampshire’s disability cricket setup for two decades.

Speaking on the history-making match, Powell said: “It was an amazing day. Getting to play on the Nursery Ground for the first time means a lot and it was a great game of cricket.

"The visitors applied themselves fantastically well, but we were able to win out in the end.

“We have a brilliant programme thanks to so much support from across our network that’s led to continued growth in our programme, and days like today highlight that.”