Milford Gain Revenge

This week was crunch match in our attempt to win the division title this year. Local rivals Hillam top of table going into the match 8 points clear of us in 2nd place. They had beaten us in the reverse fixture earlier in the season when their last wicket pair of Olly Baron and Michael Jarvis put on 61 to pinch the win from under our noses. Another defeat would make catching Hillam up in the remaining four games neigh on impossible.

Heavy rain all day Friday had left the Hillam wicket green and soft but there was no doubt the match would take place. Morning sunshine and a freshening breeze would help the pitch dry throughout the match. A good toss to win and bowl was the general consensus.

A much changed Milford side this week as holidays had hit us hard this week. No White’s in the side for the 1st time this year and Dan Ward missing as well. So Jimmy Liddle and Hew Oeppen were drafted in, Aussie Sean Nesbitt was making a rare Saturday appearance and Adam ‘Elmer’ Gee was brought out of childcare retirement.

Peter Batty once again took on the captaincy and once again lost the toss. No surprise Hillam asked us to bat. Let’s see if their pre-match warm up and practise had been of any benefit. Peter Batty and Steve Korko opened the batting for Milford and much to their relief the wicket wasn’t playing like a mine field. Seaming a little and there was a bit of bounce. Peter cashed in early when young opening bowler Michael Jarvis pitched it short, the rain had slowed the wicket enabling him to smack the ball to the fence. Jarvis got his length spot on in his 2nd over though when he found the edge of Steve Korko’s bat and then the keepers gloves.

This seemed to trigger a strange period in the match, Milford batted as though we were playing a 20 over evening game. Each new batsmen came in, hit a few boundaries, then departed back to the pavilion. It could have been worse for Milford if the Hillam fielders could catch, at least 6 were dropped in the opening 20 overs . The most expensive drop turning out to be a regulation slip catch chance off Pete Batty when he was on just 6.

Milford did manage to put a decent batting partnership together when Pete & Sean Nesbitt teamed up for the 4th wicket, 40 runs coming from it. Mainly thanks to Sean who true to form attacked right from the off. He looked set for a huge score until he failed to clear Michael Jarvis at extra cover. A bit more beef needed on the shot. Jimmy Liddle replaced him and wisely let Pete take command. After his earlier drop Pete had slowly started to accumulate the runs. His 50 coming up in 63 balls after an hour and a quarter at the crease. He looked more and more comfortable on a track that was starting to play better and better.

Jimmy looked very scratchy and benefitted from two terrible dropped catches but he battled away and together with Pete took Milford into three figures. Eventually he was bowled by Paul Dalby for 20 but the score had moved on to 146 for 5 by then. A very useful 77 run partnership. With 12 overs left Milford would want over 200 and Hillam to keep us below that total.

At this stage Hillam seemed at a loss on how to stop the flow of runs. Michael Jarvis was brought back into the attack as we got ready to applaud Peter’s first century of the season. Alas this never happened as Jarvis bowled a Yorker which sneaked under the bat to leave Pete out for 99. A cruel blow for what had been a marvellous innings. Once Pete was out with the score on 180 the Milford tail crumbled and we ended up 193 all out. In the process Billy Thompson picked up what looked like a very painful pulled hamstring. Hillam also got 2 of our overs which might be crucial later on.

Hillam provided a delicious tea, a lovely selection of open sandwiches and some smashing chocolate sandwich cake. Also the fresh cream scone topped with a fresh strawberry was on offer. Probably the best we had been given on our travels this year.

During the tea interval HIllam skipper Will Vaks asked for the wicket to be rolled. Many wise old heads around the tea table said this was a tactical blunder as when a wicket is damp rolling only brings up the moisture back to the surface and negates all the drying that had happened during the first innings.

No one seemed to know if 193 was a decent score, difficult to gauge when a wicket is drying out. Certainly we were a bit light on the bowling this week. Steve Winspear and Sean Nesbitt opened the attack for us and while both were economical neither could make a quick break through. In fact it wasn’t till the 10th over that Sean got our first wicket. Hillam keeper Rob Edwards been bowled with the score on 28. This seemed to spur Steve on as he collected his first victim an over later when Peter Batty caught Andy Baron at the 3rd of 4th attempt in the slips. With juggling skills like that Pete could join the circus.

A second wicket for Sean followed an over later when he got Paul Dalby caught. A brilliant one handed catch by Huw Oeppen. Not sure if the Hillam batsmen appreciated Sean’s tribute to Richie Benaud with his ball by ball coverage ‘Ow mate you must be disappointed to get out to a shot like that…..’

With the Hillam batting struggling Pete took the opportunity to change the bowling. How our second string bowlers would fair would be crucial to the outcome of the game. Elmer Gee replaced Steve and Huw came on instead of Sean. Unfortunately Huw couldn’t find his line and length at all today and was smashed all around the ground by Olly Baron and Aussie Jeremy McFarlane. 28 runs conceded off just 2 overs.

Milford skipper Peter Batty was forced to take both Huw & Adam off as the Hillam batsmen were now in control. He had no option but to bring back the openers much earlier than he had wanted. If this gamble failed to break the Hillam batting then we would be heading for certain defeat.

As it turned out this was an inspired decision as in his last 4 overs Sean collected 3 for 8 and put Milford back in the driving seat. Steve couldn’t match Sean’s performance but his last 4 overs only conceded 7 runs.

The match was still in the balance though as both the Milford best bowlers had been bowled out by the 34th over and Hillam were 118 with 3 wickets remaining. If they performed like they had in the first game between the two teams another game would be pinched from under our nose.

Fortunately this time the Milford bowling was able to kill off the game. Matty Paul replaced Sean and picked up his first ever 1st team wicket with a generous LBW decision. There was no doubt about his 2nd though when he shattered Richard Hardman’s stumps. A terrible mix up between the Hillam batsmen on a no-ball followed which saw Michael Jarvis run out by a direct hit from Peter Batty. Then typically it was Elmer Gee who came back on the claim the last wicket, another rabbit in the bag for the old hunter. Sean Nesbitt completing his day with a good running catch. Hillam all out for 146.

The late Hillam defiance did get them a batting point as they just managed to get over the 75% mark by one run, this means the points difference is now just 3. Should make the last 4 games interesting as Hillam perhaps have the harder run in. Certainly neither side can afford to slip up if they want to take the title.