SKIPPER Ryan Beck says New Milton are lacking batsmen who can “compete” in the British Gas Southern League – but is certain three more wins will secure their Premier Division status.
The Green and Golds host Hampshire Academy at Fernhill Sports Ground, 11am, a fixture sure to evoke happy memories for Beck and his troops, writes Neil Perrett of the Bournemouth Echo.
New Milton comfortably knocked off 300 to beat the Academy on the season’s first day when Beck provided the star turn with a destructive 110.
Nevertheless, defeat to basement dwellers Andover seven days ago – when they folded for 101 to lose by 72 runs – saw New Milton slip further into the mire, with the Academy the only other team beneath them in the standings.
Beck said: “Every game is a big one for us now. If we want to stay in the league, we have to get three wins from somewhere.
“We’re punching slightly above our weight at the moment so, to win a game, we have to give it absolutely everything.
“That’s the position we’re in after losing a few players over the summer.
“We’re definitely lacking batsmen who can compete in this league, so we have to perform all the way down the order.”
“The first match against the Academy is a nice memory to have, but you’re only as good as your last game. We’ve moved on since then and we have to pull something out of the bag here.”
New Milton’s problems with the bat go back further than their demise against Andover. They were shot out for 42 by South Wilts last month and have failed to pass 200 on four other occasions this season.
“If we lose a couple of wickets, we seem to lose the rest for nothing,” said Beck. “We need a couple of partnerships in the top five – when that happens, we’re generally alright.
“But saying it and doing it are two very different things at the moment. It’s all in the head. We have to come together and apply ourselves better than we have.
“And not just with the bat, with the ball as well. We need to stand up and commit, to do it on the day, not just talk about it.
“When you’re down, it feels like you’re miles from a win. But let’s remember, we pay £12 a week to play cricket. It’s just a hobby. Let’s get out there, enjoy it and see what happens.”
Hampshire’s Academy side looked anxiously over their shoulders when Andover won at New Milton, so coach James Tomlinson is calling for a positive result at Fernhill.
The Academy won’t lack pace with Scotland’s Chris Sole and Oxfordshire prospect Rory Hipwell sharing the new ball.
But they do need a win to pull themselves out of immediate trouble.
New Milton have former KES pinch hitter Toby Edwards (pictured) back – hoping for a repeat of the whirlwind century he scored against the Academy last summer.
New Milton: R Beck, L Beck, D Wakefield, T Arnold, Shrubsole, G Watts, A Hussey T Edwards, D Loader, M Freeman, N Gargaro.
Academy: F Organ, Kantolinna, Sole, Campbell, F Middleton, Scriven, South, Carr, S Currie, Z Organ, Hipwell.
The Green and Golds host Hampshire Academy at Fernhill Sports Ground, 11am, a fixture sure to evoke happy memories for Beck and his troops, writes Neil Perrett of the Bournemouth Echo.
New Milton comfortably knocked off 300 to beat the Academy on the season’s first day when Beck provided the star turn with a destructive 110.
Nevertheless, defeat to basement dwellers Andover seven days ago – when they folded for 101 to lose by 72 runs – saw New Milton slip further into the mire, with the Academy the only other team beneath them in the standings.
Beck said: “Every game is a big one for us now. If we want to stay in the league, we have to get three wins from somewhere.
“We’re punching slightly above our weight at the moment so, to win a game, we have to give it absolutely everything.
“That’s the position we’re in after losing a few players over the summer.
“We’re definitely lacking batsmen who can compete in this league, so we have to perform all the way down the order.”
“The first match against the Academy is a nice memory to have, but you’re only as good as your last game. We’ve moved on since then and we have to pull something out of the bag here.”
New Milton’s problems with the bat go back further than their demise against Andover. They were shot out for 42 by South Wilts last month and have failed to pass 200 on four other occasions this season.
“If we lose a couple of wickets, we seem to lose the rest for nothing,” said Beck. “We need a couple of partnerships in the top five – when that happens, we’re generally alright.
“But saying it and doing it are two very different things at the moment. It’s all in the head. We have to come together and apply ourselves better than we have.
“And not just with the bat, with the ball as well. We need to stand up and commit, to do it on the day, not just talk about it.
“When you’re down, it feels like you’re miles from a win. But let’s remember, we pay £12 a week to play cricket. It’s just a hobby. Let’s get out there, enjoy it and see what happens.”
Hampshire’s Academy side looked anxiously over their shoulders when Andover won at New Milton, so coach James Tomlinson is calling for a positive result at Fernhill.
The Academy won’t lack pace with Scotland’s Chris Sole and Oxfordshire prospect Rory Hipwell sharing the new ball.
But they do need a win to pull themselves out of immediate trouble.
New Milton have former KES pinch hitter Toby Edwards (pictured) back – hoping for a repeat of the whirlwind century he scored against the Academy last summer.
New Milton: R Beck, L Beck, D Wakefield, T Arnold, Shrubsole, G Watts, A Hussey T Edwards, D Loader, M Freeman, N Gargaro.
Academy: F Organ, Kantolinna, Sole, Campbell, F Middleton, Scriven, South, Carr, S Currie, Z Organ, Hipwell.
