Toby Edwards sees New Milton home again in win over Liphook & Ripsley

SPL Division One
Liphook & Ripsley CC 197
New Milton CC 200-6

NEW Milton made it two wins in a row after their middle-order chased down Liphook & Ripsley's decent 197 for a four-wicket victory.

Liphook & Ripsley's Ryan Covey's 81 put his side in a strong position, but Jake Adams' four wickets, Lee Beck's half-century and Toby Edwards' undefeated 61 led their side to the win.

After losing the toss and being given the ball, New Milton made the perfect start when Lee Beck caught opener Henry Amis for a duck at 2-1 off Edwards (2-35). However, the next wicket would not fall for another 67 runs when Lee Beck took another catch, this time off Adams (4-34).

When Adams bowled George Neave (20) at 99-3, it sparked a mini-collapse, with the following four wickets falling for 25 runs.

However, partnered with Dan Harvey (24), Covey continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over until Jake Adams caught-and-bowled him, with Liphook at 181-8 before the innings ended 16 runs later.

The other wicket-takers were Ed Bartlett (1-23), Jack Humphrey (1-16) and Joe Hall (1-34).

In reply, New Milton's openers Adams and Ryan Beck (7) put on 23 for the first wicket when the latter was caught by Harvey (1-25) off Joe Randall (1-28).

Fellow opener Adams (13) followed six runs later, leaving the hosts in danger at 23-2. Then an impressive 81-run stand between Ben Griffiths (30) and Lee Beck restored New Milton's prospects before Griffiths was LBW to Munt (1-27).

An in-form Toby Edwards (61 not out) entered the fray, and with Lee Beck (54), they took New Milton to 153-4 before the latter departed.

Edwards, with Matt Freeman (2), Joe Hall (5) and Humphrey (3), then carried New Milton over the line for the second week in a row.

New Milton take on Basingstoke & North Hants on Saturday in a 50-over game at 12.30pm.