Another nail-biting finish and superb individual performances delivered a fine win for the U11 pairs team. Our winning streak with the toss continues and Captain Charlotte took her team into the field and her positive energy geeing up our players.

Bella opened the bowling with her usual tenacity and pinned down the strong opening pair. Charlotte took the first wicket with a ball that went like a bullet to knock the wind out of New Milton. Bella capitalised and crashed through for another valuable wicket.

Next up came Zack W who after flirting with spin last week was back to his best with a good spell of line and length bowling. Some good batting from the pair added to the score but Zack gritted his teeth and made them work hard for their runs. Oscar too has grown as a bowler this year and did a very good job for the team.

After a fine spell keeping wicket, which included some run saving athletic leg side dives, Otto bowled with good pace and accuracy taking a one wicket. Bruno, who at the consternation of his coach has hung up his keeping gloves to focus on his bowling, was proved right as he opened with a glorious wicket maiden over. The opposition showed courage fighting back to keep the score board ticking over.

Our final pair of bowlers, Connor & Zack P faced the best of the New Milton batting line up. The strength of batting was such that any stray delivery would be dispatched to the boundary. So, whilst runs were conceded Connor and Zack made each delivery count and bowled with great maturity and perseverance which bodes well for next season.

The fielding was tight again this week with everyone contributing to keeping the score low which would prove invaluable as we set out to chase the New Milton total. Special mention goes to Bella who eyed an opportunity at Long Stop and pounced on two rebounds to create two terrific run outs.

Lymington left the field feeling positive but flagging from the mid morning sun were revived with thanks to Jane by bacon sarnies and orange squash.

So, to the chase, 270 runs to win seemed achievable but as we all know the path to victory can be bumpy. New Milton’s opening bowlers were on fine form and limited Bella and Charlotte’s opportunities to score. The opposition side and travelling support believed things were finally going their way and confidence returned. Such is the ebb and flow of cricket.

Sensing the danger, Zack W took to the crease, determined to turn the tide and smashed three consecutive fours. Two of these fine shots were turned into sixes being judged wide, which makes this spell of batting even more impressive. Like all great partnerships, Zack was ably supported by Oscar who put in a solid performance for 4 runs without loss.

Next up, Otto and Zack P energised by their team mates success continued to chase the runs with a controlled display of batting with an array of fine shots and lightening sharp running between the wickets notching up a superb total of 20 runs to give our final pairing a realistic target to win.

Connor & Bruno bravely faced New Milton’s final attack and worked hard to run at every opportunity closing the gap on the total which was tantalisingly close. Some fine fielding from New Milton combined with a rare moment of hesitation we were run out at the end of the penultimate over leaving us 2 runs to win off the last 6 balls. Connor who has had a fine season with the bat did not disappoint and skilfully steered the ball into the gaps and nudged us into the lead. Bruno is the right man for the job when you need to defend a total and towered over the wicket to perform two fine forward defensive strokes to bring the win home.