Sat 24th June 2006
Milton II vs Fen Ditton
Fen Ditton 168 for 6 from 40 overs (Hayward 59, Wilson 32, S. Coston 10-1-33-4)
Milton 172 for 4 from 40.0 overs (J. Amphlett 60, I. Jackson 24, Rabjohns 10-1-40-2, P. Sadler 10-1-23-1)
Milton II win by 6 wickets
Milton come through against Fen Ditton after a tense, last ball thriller.
Milton won the toss and decided to field on a patchy, but drying pitch. David Sanderson struck almost immediately getting Rabjohns caught at square leg in his second over. Fen Ditton however, came back well and Wilson and Hayward put on 87 for the next wicket in only 13 overs. Wilson fell to the spin of Simon Coston just before drinks. Simon Coston was bowling well, and he also captured the wickets of Hayward (caught Ian Jackson), Clarke and Costello. Fen Ditton played the remainder of the overs steadily, without great incident, reaching 168 for 6 off their 40 overs. Fen Ditton were probably slightly disappointed with their total, however they were helped by a lacklustre fielding performance by Milton.
Jon Amphlett and Phil Bone have enjoyed some good partnerships lately and this game was no exception. Jon and Phil put on 57 for the first wicket and looked pretty solid before Phil was bowled playing an expansive shot to P. Saddler. Jon was joined at the crease by Ian Jackson and this pair took the score to 82 for 1 at 20 overs. P. Sadler was the pick of the Fen Ditton bowlers, completing his 10 overs for just 23 runs. Jon and Ian continued strongly after the break, taking the score to 106 before Jon was caught in the covers. Ian Jackson was joined by Sam Allen. Both looked comfortable but were bowled by some excellent bowling by Rabjohns. Milton needed 22 off 5 overs, but with two new batsmen at the crease the pressure was on. Bob Newton and Hursh Nayar took the score to 163 off 39 overs, leaving 6 required off the last over. A scrambled single, two byes, a dropped catch and a missed run out left Milton requiring just 1 off the last ball. Costello pitched the ball short and Hursh lent back and cross batted the ball for four. Milton were relieved to get their win, Fen Ditton distraught at missing their late chances to snatch a result.