New Milton 261-9 (50 overs) : Bournemouth II 119 all out (30.5 overs)

New Milton’s middle and lower order responded superbly to the failure of the top order with two season’s bests setting a formidable target, but the visitor’s hopes were blown away by a career best bowling spell by captain Wheeler to record the second win of the season against Bournemouth II’s and retain the top spot in Division 2.

New Milton were asked to bat on a green looking wicket which appeared to be ‘juiced’ by overnight sea mist. Openers Matt Freeman and Dan Adlem, who had posted the highest partnership last week, found progress difficult against the accurate attack of Garlick and Clark. Appreciable movement off the seam was the downfall of Adlem (4) bowled by the evergreen Garlick (10-1-23), and Freeman (5) caught by Ackland off first change Stanniford. Dave Wheeler (1) was then caught by the opposition captain Coombs off a sharp spitting delivery from Stanniford. At 23-3 in the twelfth over, this was the poorest start of the season so far, but the steady James Whitehurst (15) and Lee Beck began a valuable fight back with a 55 run partnership, until he was caught by Wilkinson off Ackland. Half way into the innings and just 78-4 on the board. Eric Linge joined the attacking Beck (49 with 9 boundaries) who was now looking at ease and scoring freely, but disappointingly was clean bowled by Ackland one short of his half century. In his next over, Ackland clean bowled Ben Neal (4) at 109-6. A most valuable and entertaining partnership of 122 at over eight an over followed between Linge and Dan Loader, who both felt a major knock was due. The home supporters were treated to a series of flowing boundaries as the two put their opponents under real pressure, and as the heads began to drop they both reached their half centuries. The consistent Stanniford (10-4-37) continued to persist and was rewarded with two wickets in three balls as Loader (58 with 8 boundaries) was caught Garlick with his season’s highest score, and Linge (74 with 6 boundaries and 4 maximums) was caught Wilkinson with his highest yet SEPL Division 2 score. Nick Gargaro (12 no) and  Ryan Beck (14) enjoyed the final run chase adding a further 26, until he was caught off the last ball by keeper Ridley off Ackland (10-4-57). With the shock start, 261-9 was an excellent well worked team effort ensuring maximum batting points.

Bournemouth started hesitantly losing young pup Scott (6) clean bowled Lee Beck (6-1-28) in the third over. Allum and Kennedy (21) began a positive five an over fight back until he was clean bowled by Dave Wheeler’s first delivery. This was the start of an amazing 9.5 over spell in which he took a career best eight wickets, setting the best ever bowling figures for SEPL Division 2, and topping Linge’s 7-26 of last season. Five balls later he had Ridley (0) caught by keeper Prodomo. However,  Allum continued to flourish with a number of cleanly hit boundaries, but his new partner Wilkinson (2) soon fell to Wheeler caught in the slips by ‘safe hands’ Dan Loader. Next ball Smith (0) was caught by Matt Freeman  – wicket number four. One run later underused Ben Neal (4-1-16) had success having top scorer Allum (45 with 7 boundaries) well caught by the keeper. Ackland (15) and Clark made a brief fight back until he too fell to the Wheeler Prodomo combination at 100-7. Wheeler (10-8-36) then proceeded to mop up the tail clean bowling Stanniford (0), Clark (7) and gutsy Garlick (10), leaving captain Coombs (0 no) –  119 all out with 19.1 overs remaining. The three catches by keeper Tom Prodomo keeps him well ahead in the Division 2 wicket keeping statistics. Unusually, Eric Linge and Ryan Beck ended wicketless.

Posted on July 17th, 2010 by James Whitehurst
Filed under: Club News