Andover 243-8 (50 overs) : New Milton 197-9 (50 overs)

New Milton’s amazing winning run came to an end as the team let the match slip through their fingers at Andover , but they remain  nine points clear at the top of Division 2.

New Milton found themselves in the field on the hotest day of the year as their captain lost the toss yet again. The opening pace bowlers made an early breakthrough when Hooper (1) was caught by keeper T Prodomo off Eric Linge, followed in the seventh over by O’Gorman (5) clean bowled by Lee Beck (6-1-33). Danger man  Prozesky was in great form enjoying the pace off the pitch with the ball flashing to the boundary across the lightning fast outfield, until he cut a fast Linge delivery into his ribs, forcing his temporary retirement. Dave Wheeler came on and had immediate success having Coppleston (13) caught behind by the keeper. Dan Loader (10-1-33) kept up the pace and in his sixth over had the defensive overseas Van der Merwe (6) caught by Matt Freeman. Prozesky (45 with 11 boundaries) displaying a considerable bruise, then returned and immediately found the boundary with crisp shots, until Dave Wheeler (10-2-34) dismissed him caught and bowled. Half way through the innings Andover were 108 for 5 with the runmaker back in the pavilion.  Thoughts of a collapse faded as New Milton seemed to wilt in the hot sun, and bowlers were frustrated by at least five spilled catches, more than in the whole season so far. The Hadfield brothers Jonty and Chris began a valuable ten over partnership of 51 before J Hadfield (51 with 4 boundaries and a six) was caught by Dan Loader off spinner Ryan Beck. The next two wickets followed quickly with Adams (9) caught by keeper Prodomo off Ryan Beck (9-2-43), and  Taylor (2) clean bowled by Eric Linge (10-2-49) at 170-8 in over 40. A total under 200 seemed a real possibility but C Hadfield (51 no with 4 boundaries) and Roberts (27 no ) resisted the tiring attack with a ninth wicket partnership of 73 ( third highest in div2 records) to finish at 243 for 8 including 33 extras.

The New Milton reply did not go to plan as the Andover captain Richard Taylor turned in a match winning performance. The first six wickets fell for only 45 in the fifteenth over. This dramatic collapse started in the second over when Dan Adlem (0) was bowled by captain Taylor, next over Dave Wheeler (10) was caught by keeper Van der Merwe off Taylor. Matt Freeman and Eric Linge (8) began a fightback which was ended when he was caught by C Hadfield off Adams (10-1-30). Freeman (17) had a short stand with Ben Neal until he was caught by the keeper off Taylor. Next over Neal (8) lbw and Dan Loader (0) lbw fell to Taylor within 3 balls at 45 for 6 in only the fifteenth over. This marked the beginning of a determined fight back between in form Lee and Ryan Beck with a stand of 52 in ten overs. Ryan Beck (17) was playing a supporting role as his brother began a productive attack until he tried to dispatch J Hadfield (7-1-25). Disappointed Joe Prodomo (2) was then adjudged lbw bowled by the returning Taylor (10-6-45). Nick Gargaro then joined top scorer Lee Beck (69 with 7 boundaries) who began a rear guard action punishing  the tiring bowlers by adding a further 62 until he was bowled by L Graham ( 7-1-28) with seven overs to go.  Nick Gargaro (39 no ) and Tom Prodomo (11 no) then played sensibly adding a further 32 finishing with 197 for 9. In reflection the spilled catches, number of extras, and failure for the second week to break the tail end partnership  proved very expensive.

Posted on June 28th, 2010 by James Whitehurst
Filed under: Club News