George Watts - New Milton SKIPPER James Park hailed New Milton’s resolve after they had dug in to claim a potentially-crucial 20-run victory over Southern Electric Premier League rivals Rowledge.
The promotion-chasing Green & Golds held their nerve to register a sixth win on the trot and maintained pole position in Division One with just four games remaining.
New Milton managed to defend a modest 158-5 at Rowledge’s School Lane – on a day when title rivals Hook & Newnham Basics hit a record-breaking 408-5 against Hartley Wintney.
Ben Lawes (66) and Nick Park (48) shared an important partnership as New Milton found runs hard to come by on Rowledge’s recent re-laid pitch.
And after Will Davies (48) and David Lloyd (40) had eased the hosts from 24-4 to 98-4 with a stand of 70, New Milton appeared to be staring down the barrel of a second defeat of the season.
However, the return of teenage paceman George Watts (5-20), who had earlier claimed the first four wickets, did the trick as the 18-year-old made a crucial breakthrough.
Park said: “We seem to be making a habit of getting a low score and defending it. It’s a winning formula for us at the moment.
“George took four wickets up front to leave them 24-4 and then we had a lull when we couldn’t get a wicket. But he came back just after drinks and started the collapse.
Despite topping the table for all but the final week of last season, a disastrous August saw New Milton lose three times against mid-table opposition to concede the title to Sarisbury Athletic.
Park is confident there will be no repeat, though with the second, third and fourth placed clubs still to play Milton are in for a thrilling finish once again.
He added: “We’ve got strength in depth which is probably something we didn’t have last year. We’ve also got experience of winning close games. The lads did well to stick in and get us over the line.”
New Milton have a seven-point lead over Hook & Newnham Basics, whom they visit on August 22.
(C) Bournemouth Echo.
The promotion-chasing Green & Golds held their nerve to register a sixth win on the trot and maintained pole position in Division One with just four games remaining.
New Milton managed to defend a modest 158-5 at Rowledge’s School Lane – on a day when title rivals Hook & Newnham Basics hit a record-breaking 408-5 against Hartley Wintney.
Ben Lawes (66) and Nick Park (48) shared an important partnership as New Milton found runs hard to come by on Rowledge’s recent re-laid pitch.
And after Will Davies (48) and David Lloyd (40) had eased the hosts from 24-4 to 98-4 with a stand of 70, New Milton appeared to be staring down the barrel of a second defeat of the season.
However, the return of teenage paceman George Watts (5-20), who had earlier claimed the first four wickets, did the trick as the 18-year-old made a crucial breakthrough.
Park said: “We seem to be making a habit of getting a low score and defending it. It’s a winning formula for us at the moment.
“George took four wickets up front to leave them 24-4 and then we had a lull when we couldn’t get a wicket. But he came back just after drinks and started the collapse.
Despite topping the table for all but the final week of last season, a disastrous August saw New Milton lose three times against mid-table opposition to concede the title to Sarisbury Athletic.
Park is confident there will be no repeat, though with the second, third and fourth placed clubs still to play Milton are in for a thrilling finish once again.
He added: “We’ve got strength in depth which is probably something we didn’t have last year. We’ve also got experience of winning close games. The lads did well to stick in and get us over the line.”
New Milton have a seven-point lead over Hook & Newnham Basics, whom they visit on August 22.
(C) Bournemouth Echo.
