Midhurst make hay ... Salthill going in right direction too

Shrewton v Midhurst

Division one

Midhurst’s promising start to the campaign continued with a resounding 54-run victory over strugglers Shrewton.

The visitors won the toss and batted on what looked a decent track. Openers Steve May and Nalinda Premachandra appeared to be getting Midhurst off to a solid start before poor calling saw May run out for 19.

This brought in-form winter signing Jamie Hall in and the new pairing began to up the run-rate.

Premachandra fell shortly after making a dogged half-century leaving Hall to partner Tom Hughes.

As Shrewton’s deep square leg was beginning to consider taking up the 110m hurdles instead of cricket after repeated trips over the fence in search of the ball, Hall was caught behind for 77.

Simon Lush and Hughes maintained a steady scoring rate with Lush making another 50.

Free-flowing scoring in the final ten overs from Chris Adams and Tim Powell saw Midhurst reach 313 for five from their 50 overs, Powell ending the innings with a four and a six.

Opening bowlers Powell and Chris May showed no signs of pavlova-induced fatigue after the break as they caused the Shrewton opening pair trouble from the outset.

Tight bowling and sharp fielding, the latter most notably from Henry Luxton, ensured Midhurst were on top.

After a couple of quick wickets Shrewton looked in trouble but their captain inspired a big third-wicket partnership.

The game was still in the balance as Shrewton required a little more than eight an over from the final 20 with wickets in hand.

Eventually, Chris May took the key wicket of the Shrewton captain just before he could complete his century.

After that, wickets fell regularly until Midhurst wrapped up victory by 54 runs with six overs to spare, bowling the opposition out for 259 and maintaining their record of bowling every team out they have played so far.

Midhurst move fifth in the table and another big win on Saturday at Lymington could see them move into the top three.

Sarisbury v Salthill

Regional three south east

Skipper Nick Bishop played a significant part in Salthill’s last-over victory against high-flying Sarisbury V.

Bishop lost the toss and accepted the invitation to field first in the intense summer heat.

He took the opportunity to open the bowling, taking five wickets in his ten overs.

With keeper Malcolm Broughton taking four behind the stumps, all eight wickets fell to catches.

Sarisbury still amassed a formidable 194 for eight.

Salthill managed to maintain the run rate and fully utilised their overs to maximise their batting practice against a powerful bowling attack of Sarisbury, winning on the last over.

Top batting performances came from the belligerent Jez Abbott (32), Bishop (21), Scott Richardson (29no) and resilient opener Trevor Almack (49), who provided the backbone to Salthill’s success.