Fletcha Middleton's 116 set up Oak's winning total : Dave Reynolds
Hampshire's Fletcha Middleton thoroughly enjoys his periodic returns to Fair Oak, where his career began playing with an orange plastic bat in the local park.
Near enough 12 months ago he pulled on an Oaks first team for the first time and hit a gorgeous 145 not out in the rain at Havant. Free of Hampshire commitments, the 24-years old returned to spank 116 and set up a 213-run win over Ventnor at Steephill.
Hitting 12 fours and four sixes, Middleton shared a 132-run partnership with Sam Reed (51) before handing the batten to Tom Clark (44), who helped ease the score to 331.
Dan Cox (4-49) dismissed Middleton and Reed but, after a three-hour grilling in bowl, watched helplessly as Andy Mash (3-19) sliced through Ventnor's top order to leave the islanders a desperate 35-5. To add to Ventnor's woes, star Sri Lankan Dine Thimodya sat in the pavilion, unable to bat due to a fractured little finger. Alex Stogden (46) and Charlie Calloway, with three sixes in his 27, lifted Ventnor's final score to 118.
Near enough 12 months ago he pulled on an Oaks first team for the first time and hit a gorgeous 145 not out in the rain at Havant. Free of Hampshire commitments, the 24-years old returned to spank 116 and set up a 213-run win over Ventnor at Steephill.
Hitting 12 fours and four sixes, Middleton shared a 132-run partnership with Sam Reed (51) before handing the batten to Tom Clark (44), who helped ease the score to 331.
Dan Cox (4-49) dismissed Middleton and Reed but, after a three-hour grilling in bowl, watched helplessly as Andy Mash (3-19) sliced through Ventnor's top order to leave the islanders a desperate 35-5. To add to Ventnor's woes, star Sri Lankan Dine Thimodya sat in the pavilion, unable to bat due to a fractured little finger. Alex Stogden (46) and Charlie Calloway, with three sixes in his 27, lifted Ventnor's final score to 118.
Hugh Calloway has the safest pair of hands in island cricket - as Oaks' Harry Reed will confirm !
