New Milton recorded their second win of the season with a much improved batting performance on a good Fernhill wicket, in scorching hot conditions . After winning the toss the home side opened with J.Whitehurst (44) and A.Garnett (21). These two put on 60 for the first wicket before Garnett was caught off the bowling of M.Kitcher (2-49). S.Watts (26) then joined Whitehurst who was dismissed immediately after the first drinks break. Veteran D.Crossley (18) and Watts pushed the score along to 123-4 before they both fell to Nicholson (2-40). U17 fledgling A.Case (9) making his Hampshire League Debut looked comfortable until he got a lifting ball off C.Kitcher (2-36). Milton then relied on their experienced middle order of S.Taylor (26), S.Tilbury (21), K.Locke (21n.o) and J.Neal (18n.o.), to take the score up to 224-7, agonisingly 1 run short of maximum batting points on 224-7.

After the tea interval the home side took to the field with what looked like a scene from a World War 2 movie. There were players with bad backs, knees and one with double cracked bones in his foot. Never the less this didn’t deter the bowlers who toiled away in the sun. J.Waller and Tilbury Took the new ball but failed to make the breakthrough. Skipper Taylor brought himself on in the 11th over and immediately took a wicket, clean bowling Todd (19). At 47-1 the visitors were still looking good to make a challenge on the home side’s total. K.Locke now in tandem with the skipper then proceeded to knock over the top order. Taylor (10-2-27-2) and Locke (10-2-14-2) bowled A miserly combined spell of 20 over’s for only 41 runs, which reduced Pylewell to 97-5 off of 31 over’s. The visitors suffered two more set backs with run outs from two fantastic throws. The first from Whitehurst and assisted by keeper Garnett. The other a direct hit form 60yds by Waller. The second run out resulted in Thomas (82) being the victim. Tilbury (9.3-1-38-2) returned and for once a bit of luck went his way. The midlander proceeded to clean bowl the dangerous C.Kitcher (61) who was making a solo effort to win the game and then removed yonger Kitcher in the same manner.

A rare outing with the ball saw Milton’s head coach J.Neal (6-0-41-1) given the responsibility of bowling at the death. Neal’s wicket and another run out by Tilbury ended the Pylewell innings, only 23 runs short in the end. A bit closer than the home side would have like, but it was nice to get that winning feeling back.

Posted on June 30th, 2010 by James Whitehurst
Filed under: Club News