New Milton relieved to secure safety with dominant performance

Southern Division One: Ventnor 91 v New Milton CC 92-1 (New Milton CC win by nine wickets)

NEW Milton brushed aside bottom-of-the-table Ventnor in a nine-wicket home victory which has guaranteed their safety in Southern Division One.

Lee Beck and Dan Loader each took three wickets as the hosts skittled out Ventnor for 91. In response, opener Toby Edwards smashed a quick-fire 46 to hand the Green and Golds the win.

In overcast and windy conditions, 10-man Ventnor won the toss and elected to bat. Captain and opening bowler George Watts made an early breakthrough as he claimed George Willis in his first over without a run on the board.

Wickets fell at regular intervals with the young pace tandem of Watts (2-10) and Oli Wilmore (1-24) showcasing their talent in testing conditions. The introduction of Loader and Beck caused more problems for Ventnor who had slipped to 28-3.

The visitors' captain Ben Woodhouse provided the only sustained force with the bat as he went on to score 28, but wickets tumbled around him as Loader (3-28) and Beck (3-26) made light work of the middle order. The Islanders were eventually all out for 91 after losing five wickets for 27 runs.

Edwards and Luke Mortimore headed out in the second innings looking to grab the victory and maximum batting points with two varying styles.

Edwards was the aggressor as he smashed 46 off 24 balls, which included seven fours and a six, before he was caught by Willis off Charlie Conway’s bowling, while Mortimore was patient throughout his 23*.

Campbell Golding and Mortimore saw New Milton over the line after just 13.1 overs which sealed their safety with three games to play in Southern Division One.

With the pressure relieved, New Milton will travel to Andover next week.