Owen Morris, Totton's match winner
New Milton suffered a second consecutive defeat by two wickets after an absorbing contest at Southern Gardens and now trail Southern Premier Division 1 leaders Totton & Eling by 19 points.
They were dismissed for a modest 147 but continued to chip away as Totton lost eight wickets chasing down the target. A crucial dropped catch midway through Totton’s innings proved a defining point in the match.
Openers Toby Edwards (22) and Campbell Golding (16) raced to 32 off the first 4 overs of the match, but an now all too familiar batting collapse raised its ugly head and, once again, Milton’s lack of discipline and poor shot selection led to them surrendering a positive start.
Young spinner Toby Green (2-9), Brighton Mugochi (2-17) and Ethan Taylor did the damage as New Milton slumped to 79-7.
Captain reliable Watts (26) bailed them out of trouble, adding precious late runs with Dan Loader, Alex Mills and Jack Humphrey to nudge the final total up to a below par 147.
Totton spinners, who took nine of the wickets, continually rotated, with former Berkshire all-rounder Jack Stephens (4-20) the most successful.
Totton progressed to 30 without loss before Stephens miscued a dolly to Toby Edwards and after the introduction of South African Harlan Greig (3-37), bowling leg-spin, the hosts were wobbling at 57-3, James Taylor (19) having been trapped leg before.
They were dismissed for a modest 147 but continued to chip away as Totton lost eight wickets chasing down the target. A crucial dropped catch midway through Totton’s innings proved a defining point in the match.
Openers Toby Edwards (22) and Campbell Golding (16) raced to 32 off the first 4 overs of the match, but an now all too familiar batting collapse raised its ugly head and, once again, Milton’s lack of discipline and poor shot selection led to them surrendering a positive start.
Young spinner Toby Green (2-9), Brighton Mugochi (2-17) and Ethan Taylor did the damage as New Milton slumped to 79-7.
Captain reliable Watts (26) bailed them out of trouble, adding precious late runs with Dan Loader, Alex Mills and Jack Humphrey to nudge the final total up to a below par 147.
Totton spinners, who took nine of the wickets, continually rotated, with former Berkshire all-rounder Jack Stephens (4-20) the most successful.
Totton progressed to 30 without loss before Stephens miscued a dolly to Toby Edwards and after the introduction of South African Harlan Greig (3-37), bowling leg-spin, the hosts were wobbling at 57-3, James Taylor (19) having been trapped leg before.
Ethan Taylor hits a four with a ramp shot
When Totton’s reply reached 85-3 the game took a decisive turn. Ethan Taylor mis-hit a straight drive out of the sun to mid-off where Golding floored it. Taylor, batting with a badly injured finger, cashed in and plundered another 29 runs before the Cape Town all-rounder got him – ironically well caught by Golding !
But Taylor’s 63-run stand with Owen Morris, which terminated at 120-4, was to prove a match winner, even though a mini-collapse then followed.
Totton promptly lost four wickets for six runs – Lee Beck taking 3-32 with his away swingers – but Morris, fresh from completing his honours degree course at Chichester, remained vigilant steadying an innings rocking at 126-7.
Cue Hakim Peruzi to emerge from the pavilion and smack two straight fours in quick fire 12 which effectively settled a run chase which owed much to Morris’s unbeaten 35.
But Taylor’s 63-run stand with Owen Morris, which terminated at 120-4, was to prove a match winner, even though a mini-collapse then followed.
Totton promptly lost four wickets for six runs – Lee Beck taking 3-32 with his away swingers – but Morris, fresh from completing his honours degree course at Chichester, remained vigilant steadying an innings rocking at 126-7.
Cue Hakim Peruzi to emerge from the pavilion and smack two straight fours in quick fire 12 which effectively settled a run chase which owed much to Morris’s unbeaten 35.
Hakim Peruzi doesn't hang about !
Photography by Hayley Morris.
