Evergreen New Milton left-arm swing bowler Nick Gargaro could be excused for having a good old knee’s up after his match winning five-wicket haul against Burridge last week.
His 5-45 return, alongside teenager Oli Shrubsole’s 4-28, sent Burridge into freefall and won a remarkable ECB British Gas Southern Premier Division match for the Green & Golds.
It was his first serious bowl since having his left knee replaced last summer.
Defending 238-5, New Milton’s prospects of building on the previous week’s win over the Hampshire Academy looked unlikely as Jamie Richards (56) and former Hampshire batsman Derek Kenway (50) steered the Burridge reply 125-0.
But an extra-ordinary collapse saw Burridge lose all ten wickets for 41 runs – and the match by a 72-run margin !
Ironically, Gargaro’s nine-over spell didn’t begin that well.
“My initial two overs cost 28 runs, so I decided to mix it up and bowl cutters – and that seemed to do the trick,” Gargaro laughed.
“At 52 years of age, it was odd having to get used to bowling with a complete different white ball.”
Gargaro, a key member of the Hampshire Over-50s bowling attack, under went major knee surgery last June, having played only four Premier Division matches for New Milton, then newly promoted as 2015 SPL1 champions.
“Ironically, I jarred calf muscle playing in the Academy match and managed only two overs.
“But the knee is really good. It’s been a tough time since the replacement op, with many hours of physio and in the gym.
“But I got back in the nets around Christmas time and had the great incentive to get fully fit for the England Seniors tour to Cape Town, which I went on in March,” he explained.
Gargaro and his team mates certainly celebrated after the Burridge win.
“The fact that we didn’t get in until 2 o’clock on Sunday morning says it all,” chuckled New Milton skipper Ryan Beck.
“Five wicket hauls for any bowler are always pretty special occasions, but I’m really delighted for Nick, who’s a credit to the game and thoroughly deserved his reward.
Beck also praised Milton’s overseas batsman Dave Wakefield and teenager spinner Oli Shrubsole, who joined the Fernhill club from Parley last summer.
Wakefield didn’t have the best of debut seasons in 2016, his only two scores of significance – 56 and 87 coming against arch rivals Bashley (Rydal).
But carrying his bat for 95 against Burridge proved pivotal to New Milton’s success.
“I wanted Dave back in front of any other overseas options as he’s a massive heart and is someone us sloggers can bat around,” Beck said.
“His conduct on and off the field is exemplary and I’m sure last week’s 95 won’t be the last big one he gets us this season.”
Beck also praised teenager Oli Shrubsole, who kick started the Burridge slide when he clean bowled Derek Kenway.
Shrubsole, who journeys from Wareham to play for the Green & Golds, came up through Parley’s envied colts set up and carved a niche for himself in the team last summer.
With Nick Elliott enjoying a sabbatical, the former Dorset Under-17 captain will get plenty of front line bowling option this season.
“Oli’s was a very mature spell of bowling. He’s a future captain, I’ve no doubt about that, with his attitude and nous. We looked out of it when he came on.”
His 5-45 return, alongside teenager Oli Shrubsole’s 4-28, sent Burridge into freefall and won a remarkable ECB British Gas Southern Premier Division match for the Green & Golds.
It was his first serious bowl since having his left knee replaced last summer.
Defending 238-5, New Milton’s prospects of building on the previous week’s win over the Hampshire Academy looked unlikely as Jamie Richards (56) and former Hampshire batsman Derek Kenway (50) steered the Burridge reply 125-0.
But an extra-ordinary collapse saw Burridge lose all ten wickets for 41 runs – and the match by a 72-run margin !
Ironically, Gargaro’s nine-over spell didn’t begin that well.
“My initial two overs cost 28 runs, so I decided to mix it up and bowl cutters – and that seemed to do the trick,” Gargaro laughed.
“At 52 years of age, it was odd having to get used to bowling with a complete different white ball.”
Gargaro, a key member of the Hampshire Over-50s bowling attack, under went major knee surgery last June, having played only four Premier Division matches for New Milton, then newly promoted as 2015 SPL1 champions.
“Ironically, I jarred calf muscle playing in the Academy match and managed only two overs.
“But the knee is really good. It’s been a tough time since the replacement op, with many hours of physio and in the gym.
“But I got back in the nets around Christmas time and had the great incentive to get fully fit for the England Seniors tour to Cape Town, which I went on in March,” he explained.
Gargaro and his team mates certainly celebrated after the Burridge win.
“The fact that we didn’t get in until 2 o’clock on Sunday morning says it all,” chuckled New Milton skipper Ryan Beck.
“Five wicket hauls for any bowler are always pretty special occasions, but I’m really delighted for Nick, who’s a credit to the game and thoroughly deserved his reward.
Beck also praised Milton’s overseas batsman Dave Wakefield and teenager spinner Oli Shrubsole, who joined the Fernhill club from Parley last summer.
Wakefield didn’t have the best of debut seasons in 2016, his only two scores of significance – 56 and 87 coming against arch rivals Bashley (Rydal).
But carrying his bat for 95 against Burridge proved pivotal to New Milton’s success.
“I wanted Dave back in front of any other overseas options as he’s a massive heart and is someone us sloggers can bat around,” Beck said.
“His conduct on and off the field is exemplary and I’m sure last week’s 95 won’t be the last big one he gets us this season.”
Beck also praised teenager Oli Shrubsole, who kick started the Burridge slide when he clean bowled Derek Kenway.
Shrubsole, who journeys from Wareham to play for the Green & Golds, came up through Parley’s envied colts set up and carved a niche for himself in the team last summer.
With Nick Elliott enjoying a sabbatical, the former Dorset Under-17 captain will get plenty of front line bowling option this season.
“Oli’s was a very mature spell of bowling. He’s a future captain, I’ve no doubt about that, with his attitude and nous. We looked out of it when he came on.”
