Milton II vs Coton
Milton II 137 all out from 39.5 overs (P. Bone 48, D. Sanderson 25, C. Cooke 10-5-12-5, R. Chandler 3.5-0-6-2)
Coton 139 for 5 from 27.3 overs (C. Cooke 82 not out, T. deFreston 6-0-27-3)
Coton win by 5 wickts
The 2006 season got of to a wet start and the opener against Coton saw well Milton beaten by the promoted side.
On an overcast day, with rain forecast for later, Milton lost the toss and were put into bat. Openers Mike Jervis and Phil Bone looked circumspect against some good away swing bowling from J. Curley and C. Cooke. Cooke found his line and length quickly and in his third over dismissed Mike Jervis and Ian Jackson with balls that moved off the pitch. The following over saw Graeme Newton LBW to Curley and Milton were in desperate trouble (already!) at 12 for 3 after just 6 overs. Bob and Phil steadied the ship momentarily before Bob was bowled by Sparman, who had come on to replace Cooke. Jon Amphlett and Phil put on 30 together to take the innings to drinks. Milton were 59 for 4 after 20 overs. However Cooke, coming on for his second spell, soon accounted for Jon and James Henderson, both bowled. A very low score looked likely shortly afterwards when Cooke also bowled Ciaran OKane. Blushes were saved by Dave Sanderson who joined Phil at the crease and put on 52 for the next wicket. Dave was unlucky to get bowled by a full toss, and eventually Phil fell to Coton’s captain, R. Chandler. Tom deFreston (playing in his first game) and Simon Coston saw the last few overs out, before Tom finally fell to Chandler. Milton were all out for 137. Remarkably, 9 wickets were bowled, and one LBW.
The rain started falling just before the end of Milton’s innings and continued over tea. Coton started their innings well, but were pegged back when Simon Coston caught a sharp chance off Dave Sanderson’s bowling. Bob Newton was clearly struggling to get any grip in the wet, so bowlers were restricted to those wearing spikes. Coton’s number 3, Ballard and opener Cooke put on a solid 56 for the second wicet, effectively taking the game away from Milton. Coton reached 81 for 1 after 15 overs. Bob brought on Simon Coston and Tom de-Freston and Tom soon picket up his first wicket for the club; Ballard steepling one to Jon Amphlett in the covers. Tom then got Hale LBW and A. East (a sharp catch by Phil Bone) shortly afterwards and Coton were looking a little uncomfortable at 104 for 4. But the key wicket of Cooke alluded Milton and Coton were never under any real pressure. Despite Simon Coston and Phil Bone combining to get R. Allison out, Coton reached Milton’s total with over 12 overs and 5 wickets to spare. The rain then really set in and the majority traipsed off to the White Horse to discuss the day’s cricket.