Ryan Beck hailed an “astounding” rearguard action from tailenders Nick Gargaro and George Watts, which earned New Milton a draw from “one of the best all day games” the skipper had played.
The Green & Golds were nicely poised on 114 for one in pursuit of St Cross Symondians 262 before slumping to 165 for nine in the Southern Premier League clash against their top-flight rivals.
But number 10 Watts ate up 30 balls for his unbeaten four and last man Gargaro ended undefeated on 11 from 29 deliveries as New Milton clung on during a nail-biting finale.
Captain Beck said: “I had a sore throat after watching that. I think I smoked about 30 fags!
“It was one of the best all day games I had ever played in for the tension at the end.
“Nick Gargaro and George Watts were astounding, superb. Especially as the last ball was a no-ball and had to be re-bowled after we all thought we had done it.
“The performance was typical New Milton. We had a great start but then really lost our way.”
Gargaro and Watts’s effort was all the more impressive for the potent attack they were resisting.
Jack Bransgrove (4-18), indefatigable Tayyab Farooq (4-55) and Hampshire medium pacer Asher Hart (1-26) had combined to wreak havoc after openers Tom Arnold (54) and Dave Wakefield (33) had laid a solid looking platform for the visitors. But once the reply reached 114-1, Farooq began to make his mark.
Toby Edwards (25) did his bit for the cause, but former Dorset Under-17 captain Oli Shrubsole (28) watched wickets fell at regular intervals – four to Jack Bransgrove (4-18) as New Milton were reduced to 165-9.
Hampshire’s Asher Hrt eventually ended Shrubsole’s 61-ball vigil, leaving Gargaro and Watts to put up the barricades and force a draw.
“If someone goes big, you have a good chance of chasing a large total, but none of us did that,” added Beck.
“Dave Wakefield was playing with a sprained ankle and he would admit he threw away his wicket.
“St Cross’s attack was excellent – Jack Bransgrove was bowling out of his skin and Tabs Farooq just kept going, he is a warhorse.
“You could argue they deserved to win it but that is what the draw is there for. It was a thrilling game and we got nine points instead of six, which was massive.
“When we click, we will really click – when we don’t, we will be obliterated.”
St Cross built their total around Harry Came (67), Robbie Hadfield (50), Tom Foyle (45) and Asher Hart (40).
The Green & Golds were nicely poised on 114 for one in pursuit of St Cross Symondians 262 before slumping to 165 for nine in the Southern Premier League clash against their top-flight rivals.
But number 10 Watts ate up 30 balls for his unbeaten four and last man Gargaro ended undefeated on 11 from 29 deliveries as New Milton clung on during a nail-biting finale.
Captain Beck said: “I had a sore throat after watching that. I think I smoked about 30 fags!
“It was one of the best all day games I had ever played in for the tension at the end.
“Nick Gargaro and George Watts were astounding, superb. Especially as the last ball was a no-ball and had to be re-bowled after we all thought we had done it.
“The performance was typical New Milton. We had a great start but then really lost our way.”
Gargaro and Watts’s effort was all the more impressive for the potent attack they were resisting.
Jack Bransgrove (4-18), indefatigable Tayyab Farooq (4-55) and Hampshire medium pacer Asher Hart (1-26) had combined to wreak havoc after openers Tom Arnold (54) and Dave Wakefield (33) had laid a solid looking platform for the visitors. But once the reply reached 114-1, Farooq began to make his mark.
Toby Edwards (25) did his bit for the cause, but former Dorset Under-17 captain Oli Shrubsole (28) watched wickets fell at regular intervals – four to Jack Bransgrove (4-18) as New Milton were reduced to 165-9.
Hampshire’s Asher Hrt eventually ended Shrubsole’s 61-ball vigil, leaving Gargaro and Watts to put up the barricades and force a draw.
“If someone goes big, you have a good chance of chasing a large total, but none of us did that,” added Beck.
“Dave Wakefield was playing with a sprained ankle and he would admit he threw away his wicket.
“St Cross’s attack was excellent – Jack Bransgrove was bowling out of his skin and Tabs Farooq just kept going, he is a warhorse.
“You could argue they deserved to win it but that is what the draw is there for. It was a thrilling game and we got nine points instead of six, which was massive.
“When we click, we will really click – when we don’t, we will be obliterated.”
St Cross built their total around Harry Came (67), Robbie Hadfield (50), Tom Foyle (45) and Asher Hart (40).
