Portsmouth CC shock previously unbeaten New Milton CC with nine-wicket thrashing
Southern Premier League Division One
New Milton CC 135
Portsmouth CC 136-1
NEW MILTON suffered a resounding nine-wicket defeat as Portsmouth tore up the form book while making the most of a bowler-friendly wicket.
New Milton entered the game having won all four of their completed matches and Portsmouth losing four of their six, but Joe Kooner-Evans produced an extraordinary bowling display that reduced the visitors to 4-3.
First, he removed Toby Edwards (0), then in-form South African Harlan Greig (2) and skipper Lee Beck (1).
New Milton's troubles did not end there when Henry Woolf remarkably reduced New Milton to 19-5 with the scalps of Joe Hall (2) and Ryan Beck (0).
The home ground had suffered from the recent rainfall, and play commenced after the ground staff had cut, rolled and marked out the wicket 30 minutes before start of play.
Unfortunately for New Milton, skipper George Watts lost the toss, and this turned out to be crucial. The visitors were asked to bat first, and Kooner-Evans (3-28) and Henry Woolf (2-19) took full advantage.
A mature and organised 58-run partnership between Campbell Golding (40) and Watts (29) for the sixth wicket gave the visitors a chance of posting a defendable total. However, the partnership came to an end after Jonathon Brook (3-24) dismissed the pair before having Dan Loader caught by Hemanshu Hirani.
At 98-9, a 10th-wicket partnership of 38 from Ed Bartlett (15 not out) and Jack Humphrey (18) eventually helped notch 135 runs from 39 overs.
Portsmouth's reply was more straightforward than New Milton's innings. Although when Portsmouth opener Jack Marston was caught by Ryan Beck off Golding (1-18) on his first ball, leaving them 5-1, there was a glimmer of hope.
However, his would be their only wicket lost, and a fantastic 131-run partnership between Ben Duggan (60 not out) and James Christian (63 not out) secured a nine-wicket win with 17.3 overs remaining.
New Milton will hope to return to form on Saturday when they travel to Southern Gardens to play Totton & Eling CC.
