Experienced New Milton all-rounder Lee Beck [pictured] starred with bat and ball as Sarisbury Athletic suffered a 70-run defeat in their opening Southern Premier Division 1 match at Allotment Road.
Beck, who has been playing for New Milton since the 1990s, hit an unbeaten 81 and took five cheap wickets as Sarisbury tumbled to 174 all out and well adrift of their 244 target score.
With inclement weather about, New Milton were inserted but given a 64-run start by the flamboyant Toby Edwards (42) and Joe Hall (20).
South African import Harlan Greig hit 29 on debut before Beck, batting at four, struck seven fours and three sixes in a 74-ball unbeaten 81.
That innings helped propel New Milton to 263-6 off 40 overs - the second highest score across the four SPL divisions on opening day, which only Fair Oak, with 293-7 at Ventnor, bettered.
All five Sarisbury bowlers were among the wickets but only Jordan Wright (2-46) bagged more than one.
Following rain, Sarisbury were set a revised target of 244 off 37 overs - a challenge quickly made more difficult when opener Ricky Rawlins (4) was trapped leg before.
Elliot Smith (37) and Jack Lovett (22) made starts before Josh Hill top scored with 59 off 44 balls with 10 fours and a six.
Sarisbury were well placed on 140-3 but the introduction of Beck - who in 2001 took 6-36 against US Portsmouth in a SPL fixture - as fourth change was the catalyst for a collapse.
Beck proceeded to take 5-20 off just four overs as Sarisbury were dismissed for 174 - losing their last seven wickets for 37 runs. The News.
Beck, who has been playing for New Milton since the 1990s, hit an unbeaten 81 and took five cheap wickets as Sarisbury tumbled to 174 all out and well adrift of their 244 target score.
With inclement weather about, New Milton were inserted but given a 64-run start by the flamboyant Toby Edwards (42) and Joe Hall (20).
South African import Harlan Greig hit 29 on debut before Beck, batting at four, struck seven fours and three sixes in a 74-ball unbeaten 81.
That innings helped propel New Milton to 263-6 off 40 overs - the second highest score across the four SPL divisions on opening day, which only Fair Oak, with 293-7 at Ventnor, bettered.
All five Sarisbury bowlers were among the wickets but only Jordan Wright (2-46) bagged more than one.
Following rain, Sarisbury were set a revised target of 244 off 37 overs - a challenge quickly made more difficult when opener Ricky Rawlins (4) was trapped leg before.
Elliot Smith (37) and Jack Lovett (22) made starts before Josh Hill top scored with 59 off 44 balls with 10 fours and a six.
Sarisbury were well placed on 140-3 but the introduction of Beck - who in 2001 took 6-36 against US Portsmouth in a SPL fixture - as fourth change was the catalyst for a collapse.
Beck proceeded to take 5-20 off just four overs as Sarisbury were dismissed for 174 - losing their last seven wickets for 37 runs. The News.
