Teenager George Watts sliced through Calmore Sports’ top order, taking three wickets for four runs before Nick Gargaro mopped up the lower-order to give New Milton a 111-run win at Loperwood Park.
It was the perfect lift off to the season for Milton, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season and who were unexpectedly bundled out of the ECB Royal London national club championship at the first hurdle.
The day didn’t start with great promise after left-armer Steve Wright (2-25) created early inroads to have NM wobbling at 31-3.
But James Park, with an unbeaten 66, aided by Toby Edwards (31) and Dan Loader (26 not out) lifted Milton’s total to 172-7.
Captain Mark Lavelle (31) apart, Calmore’s reply fell apart at the seams.
Watts (3-4) was the initial catalyst as newly promoted Calmore sank to 26-4 and, once the left-arm of Gargaro (5-16) took effect, to 33-8.
Lavelle saw eight partners come and go – five of them bagging ducks – before being ninth out at 59. They made two more and were dismissed for 61.
HooK and Newnham Basics opened their Southern Electric Premier League Division One campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.
Bournemouth were soon in trouble, with their top three batsman Andy Hayward, Ben Bridgen and South African Alan Badenhorst were all back in the pavilion with just 26 on the board, thanks to Spencer Champ (3-30) and Shane Brewer (2-27).
Hook’s opening strike bowlers continued to take out the top order as Jake Hurley, Michael Kitson and Martin Miller all failed with the bat which left Bournemouth on 55-6.
Spin twins Anik Divecha (2-17) and Kevin Poulter (1-22) took up the mantle, but some late resistance from Peter Smith (18) and top scorer tailender Andrew Woodward got the home side into three figures.
Woodward’s run-a-ball inning of 32, which included one six and five fours was ended by teenager Kieran Thomson with his first ball of season, which proved to be the last for Bournemouth as they were all out for 115 in the 36th over.
To stand any chance of victory the home side needed quick wickets and unfortunately they did not get them.
Hook openers Ben Thane (64) and Thomson (39) shared a first wicket partnership of 104, with the Thomson the only man out.
Thane’s knock included eight fours and a six from 55 balls and Hook won in the 25th over.
Tom Arnold’s unbeaten 75 was his best Premier League score, but though Totton & Eling made 204, it was insufficient to stop Ian Metcalfe’s 54 not out from earning hosts Rowledge a five-wicket win.
It was the perfect lift off to the season for Milton, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season and who were unexpectedly bundled out of the ECB Royal London national club championship at the first hurdle.
The day didn’t start with great promise after left-armer Steve Wright (2-25) created early inroads to have NM wobbling at 31-3.
But James Park, with an unbeaten 66, aided by Toby Edwards (31) and Dan Loader (26 not out) lifted Milton’s total to 172-7.
Captain Mark Lavelle (31) apart, Calmore’s reply fell apart at the seams.
Watts (3-4) was the initial catalyst as newly promoted Calmore sank to 26-4 and, once the left-arm of Gargaro (5-16) took effect, to 33-8.
Lavelle saw eight partners come and go – five of them bagging ducks – before being ninth out at 59. They made two more and were dismissed for 61.
HooK and Newnham Basics opened their Southern Electric Premier League Division One campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.
Bournemouth were soon in trouble, with their top three batsman Andy Hayward, Ben Bridgen and South African Alan Badenhorst were all back in the pavilion with just 26 on the board, thanks to Spencer Champ (3-30) and Shane Brewer (2-27).
Hook’s opening strike bowlers continued to take out the top order as Jake Hurley, Michael Kitson and Martin Miller all failed with the bat which left Bournemouth on 55-6.
Spin twins Anik Divecha (2-17) and Kevin Poulter (1-22) took up the mantle, but some late resistance from Peter Smith (18) and top scorer tailender Andrew Woodward got the home side into three figures.
Woodward’s run-a-ball inning of 32, which included one six and five fours was ended by teenager Kieran Thomson with his first ball of season, which proved to be the last for Bournemouth as they were all out for 115 in the 36th over.
To stand any chance of victory the home side needed quick wickets and unfortunately they did not get them.
Hook openers Ben Thane (64) and Thomson (39) shared a first wicket partnership of 104, with the Thomson the only man out.
Thane’s knock included eight fours and a six from 55 balls and Hook won in the 25th over.
Tom Arnold’s unbeaten 75 was his best Premier League score, but though Totton & Eling made 204, it was insufficient to stop Ian Metcalfe’s 54 not out from earning hosts Rowledge a five-wicket win.
