New Milton continue to cling on to Hook & Newnham Basics’ shirt tails at the top of Southern Electric Premier Division 1 after a nine-run win over Bournemouth, who went down after a gallant fightback.
They posted 177-9 at Chapel Gate as Ben Lawes (51*) and Nick Park (49) top-scored for the Green and Golds, writes Ned Payne of the Bournemouth Echo.
However, Lions' disastrous start to their reply saw them in deep water at 27-5 before manful efforts from Mike Kitson (61) and Dave Kidner (45*) kept Miller's men in the game before they eventually conceded a narrow defeat. Dan Loader proved Bournemouth's tormentor-in-chief, hitting an unbeaten 20 off seven deliveries before claiming 3-26 with the ball.
New Milton captain James Park admitted Loader's contribution had been hugely significant in a clash that had gone right to the wire.
Park said: "Dan Loader only faced seven balls and he hit two big sixes and a four, and with his new-ball spell he basically won us the game.
"It's not the first time he's done it for us and it's always good to have that down the order.
"After we had them at 27-5, I thought we were home and hosed but they had a couple of batsmen who stuck in and played well.
"Halfway through their innings at drinks, I think they were on around 90-6 and it could have gone either way.
"We gave them a couple of chances but, thankfully, we held on and got over the line. It was a big win for us."
Andover’s prospects of defending 272 were blown away by a double-century opening stand between Australian Aaron Wivell and Jack Hersh, who pointed lowly Hartley Wintney to a seven-wicket win. Mark Souter (63) and Army debutant Craig Ross (54) produced handy middle-order knocks for Andover, but the 204-run start HW made effectively ended the contest. Wivell hit three sixes and 13 fours in his 116 – he now has 529 runs to his credit this summer- while Hersh made 80.
They posted 177-9 at Chapel Gate as Ben Lawes (51*) and Nick Park (49) top-scored for the Green and Golds, writes Ned Payne of the Bournemouth Echo.
However, Lions' disastrous start to their reply saw them in deep water at 27-5 before manful efforts from Mike Kitson (61) and Dave Kidner (45*) kept Miller's men in the game before they eventually conceded a narrow defeat. Dan Loader proved Bournemouth's tormentor-in-chief, hitting an unbeaten 20 off seven deliveries before claiming 3-26 with the ball.
New Milton captain James Park admitted Loader's contribution had been hugely significant in a clash that had gone right to the wire.
Park said: "Dan Loader only faced seven balls and he hit two big sixes and a four, and with his new-ball spell he basically won us the game.
"It's not the first time he's done it for us and it's always good to have that down the order.
"After we had them at 27-5, I thought we were home and hosed but they had a couple of batsmen who stuck in and played well.
"Halfway through their innings at drinks, I think they were on around 90-6 and it could have gone either way.
"We gave them a couple of chances but, thankfully, we held on and got over the line. It was a big win for us."
Andover’s prospects of defending 272 were blown away by a double-century opening stand between Australian Aaron Wivell and Jack Hersh, who pointed lowly Hartley Wintney to a seven-wicket win. Mark Souter (63) and Army debutant Craig Ross (54) produced handy middle-order knocks for Andover, but the 204-run start HW made effectively ended the contest. Wivell hit three sixes and 13 fours in his 116 – he now has 529 runs to his credit this summer- while Hersh made 80.