Match report: Golding brothers keep New Milton CC (289-8) in red-hot form with Southern Premier Cricket League (SPCL) Division Two victory over Trojans CC (195)
New Milton pulled off a dramatic turnaround to claim a convincing victory over Trojans away at Stoneham Lane on Saturday to confirm their status as the league’s most in-form side.
Fernhill Sports Ground-based side New Milton (289-8) got off to a tricky start with the bat in hand, but a partnership between the Golding brothers, Cam and Teddy, turned the tide against Trojans (195).
“After winning the toss and choosing to bat, we found ourselves in deep trouble at 23-4,” said New Milton captain Ed Bartlett. “And we were staring down the barrel of a very early finish.
“However, a vital partnership between the Golding brothers steadied the ship with composure and patience, rebuilding the innings and laying the groundwork for a strong recovery.
“Their efforts were backed up superbly by some aggressive lower-order hitting, with quick runs in the closing overs, pushing our total well above what looked likely early on and, ultimately, well above par for the conditions.”
With a competitive total on the board, New Milton headed out in the field with intensity and discipline, applying pressure from the outset.
Sharp fielding and clever bowling stifled any early momentum from the Trojans batters, and once Ed Denham (3-18) found his rhythm with the ball, the game quickly tilted in New Milton’s favour.
“Ed [Denham] ’s early breakthroughs were followed up by a composed and effective spell from our spinners, who tied up the middle overs and ran through the lower order to put the result beyond doubt.
“It was a complete team performance, full of character and resilience again, and one that showed the depth and spirit running through our side.
“I am so happy with how the team is doing at the halfway stage; sat in second place with three wins in three after two poor losses in late May. We’ve had an unbeaten June, and all my players have responded with character and ruthlessness.”
Trojans’ Ashmit Khaneja tore through New Milton right from the off, taking the first four batsmen for 21 runs before finishing with figures of (4-45).
With their side at 21-4, the Golding brothers stepped up to the crease. Together, they added 112 runs for the fifth wicket, with their sterling tandem efforts ending with Teddy (42) being stumped.
Bartlett (70 not out) joined Cam (67), maintaining the momentum before veteran Lee Beck got in on the act with an invaluable 45 runs off just 28 balls.
The nail was hammered into the Trojans’ coffin by a steady 29 runs from wicketkeeper Ed Wooster, whose innings ended with the last ball of his side’s 50 overs.
The Trojans’ run chase never looked dangerous. They were eventually all out 94 runs short of the target. Cam (3-34) and Denham (3-18) led the way with three wickets each, with the rest coming from Thaakier Davids (2-46), Lee Beck (1-26) and Josh Bennett (1-39).
Second-placed New Milton will look to go four from four on Saturday when they take on seventh-placed Liphook & Ripsley at Ripsley Park at 12:30pm.
