Liam McCarthy : five wicket debut Sam Lockwood blasted a 79-ball century before debut making teenage Aussie Ellis McCarthy routed New Milton with a five-wicket haul to send Hook & Newnham Basics on the way to a thumping 91-run victory at the KGV.
It was the perfect start to the competitive season after Hook's unexpected relegation to the third tier of Southern Premier League cricket.
A positive wind of change has blown through the KGV this winter, with Charlie Neville taking over the captain's armband from Josh Buckingham, who will continue to assume a high position in the batting order and keep wicket.
Neville, scored over 500 runs last season alongside taking 14 wickets, has wintered in Perth. Fit again opener Sam Lockwood is his vice-captain, having ruptured an Achilles at Waterlooville last August.
Ironically, Hook suffered two early blows after being put into bat - Ed Bartlett, the New Milton skipper, whipping out Neville and Jaden Hall.
But by then Lockwood was on his way, peppering the KGV boundary during a century partnership with Rupes Armstrong which pointed Hook to a powerful 324-9.
Lockwood cleared the boundary rope four times alongside his 14 fours, while Armstrong hit two sixes and 12 fours in his 83.
Josh Buckingham clouted a quick fire 40 and, with support coming from Will Gardner (22) and Josh Balcombe (23), Hook powered to 324-9.
Rain intervention cut New Milton's target to 200 off 24 overs - a mission impossible after McCarthy's new ball spell left the Green & Golds 59-6, the Northern Districts all-rounder from Brisbane taking five wickets in a total of 59-6.
He finished with 5-23 before Lee Beck (35) eased New Milton's final score to 108, a deficit of 92.
It was the perfect start to the competitive season after Hook's unexpected relegation to the third tier of Southern Premier League cricket.
A positive wind of change has blown through the KGV this winter, with Charlie Neville taking over the captain's armband from Josh Buckingham, who will continue to assume a high position in the batting order and keep wicket.
Neville, scored over 500 runs last season alongside taking 14 wickets, has wintered in Perth. Fit again opener Sam Lockwood is his vice-captain, having ruptured an Achilles at Waterlooville last August.
Ironically, Hook suffered two early blows after being put into bat - Ed Bartlett, the New Milton skipper, whipping out Neville and Jaden Hall.
But by then Lockwood was on his way, peppering the KGV boundary during a century partnership with Rupes Armstrong which pointed Hook to a powerful 324-9.
Lockwood cleared the boundary rope four times alongside his 14 fours, while Armstrong hit two sixes and 12 fours in his 83.
Josh Buckingham clouted a quick fire 40 and, with support coming from Will Gardner (22) and Josh Balcombe (23), Hook powered to 324-9.
Rain intervention cut New Milton's target to 200 off 24 overs - a mission impossible after McCarthy's new ball spell left the Green & Golds 59-6, the Northern Districts all-rounder from Brisbane taking five wickets in a total of 59-6.
He finished with 5-23 before Lee Beck (35) eased New Milton's final score to 108, a deficit of 92.
Sam Lockwood in typical aggressive pose : Ian Thacker
