Tamar
Milton Abbot v
Werrington
SEVEN man Milton upstaged Werrington. After a heavy defeat to St Stephens last Saturday, the last thing Milton Abbot needed was to go into Saturday's game against Werrington under strength. As it was they were only able to field nine men, and with two of those having to leave early, you'd be forgiven for fearing for the worst.
Werrington captain Nick Wills won the toss and decided to ask Milton Abbot to bat. Milton Abbot had the handicap of starting with nine players and two had to leave early!
Milton started slowly, with only five runs off the first 4 overs, bowled tightly by Paul Hicks and Toby Knights. Knights struck first with Tom Vowler caught at first slip. Hallam Riggs settled in before Knights struck again, as Paul Crocker feathered a ball down the leg side to the keeper Bill Sowerby joined Riggs at the wicket. Riggs brought his 50 up when the Milton total was just 59, and the two put on 50 for the third wicket. Slow left armer Dan Ponting, accounted for Sowerby (7) with Milton on 88.
With the Milton score on 124-3, Riggs brought up his 100 to the joy of the home support, who had not witnessed a home century in many years. Milton captain Richard Baxter joined Riggs, putting on a 100 for the fourth wicket, before Riggs departed lbw to Hicks for an outstanding 146 - including 8 sixes and 16 fours.
Contributions for Baxter (18) Mark Jenkin (25not out) and Nathan Patrick (18 )helped propel Milton to 237-5.
Werrington came out determined to make an impact, and Ian Gribble kept the score ticking over.
At the other end, though, wickets were falling. Toby Knights (5) was undone by a Nathan Patrick delivery, and Ponting (9) became the first of Baxter's five catches behind the stumps.
After Gribble departed to Vowler for 32, Werrington lost the impetuous although Wills (20) played a sensible innings.Bowlers Riggs and Tom Bentley worked away and shared five wickets.
Werrington though fought back from 97-7 to finish on 159-9, and stopped Milton from taking the maximum 20 points.