Hampshire Cricket League Division 5A
Parley CC 3rd XI 186-8 (40 overs)
New Milton CC 2nd XI 188-1 (26.1 overs)
New Milton CC 2nd XI won by 9 wickets

New Milton 2nd XI produced an impressive all-round performance to record a commanding nine-wicket victory over Parley 3rd XI at Fernhill Sports Ground on Saturday.

After losing the toss and being asked to field, New Milton restricted Parley to 186-8 from their 40 overs before racing to their target in just 26.1 overs, with captain Joe Wooster and Grace Keating guiding the side home in style.

Parley's innings was dominated by a superb century from Saichand Muddapuram, who retired unbeaten on 104 from just 76 balls, striking 21 boundaries in an aggressive display. However, he received limited support from the rest of the batting line-up.

The visitors made a difficult start as Harry Beck tore through the top order. Beck bowled with exceptional control, returning figures of 3-12 from eight overs, including six maidens. He removed Avinash Reshamwala for a duck before Grace Keating held a catch to dismiss Jonathan Rake and Beck later bowled Parley captain Mark Luther.

At 8-2, Muddapuram rebuilt the innings and shared significant partnerships with Jamie Weir (18) and Sam King (26), helping Parley recover to a respectable total. New Milton kept taking wickets at important moments, however, with Elliott Bennett (2-40) striking twice and Daniel Wooster claiming a valuable wicket when he trapped Sam King lbw.

A remarkable spell from Harry Beck laid the platform for New Milton's fielding effort, while Daniel Wooster's economical 1-24 from seven overs and Bennett's double strike ensured Parley were unable to fully capitalise on Muddapuram's outstanding century.

Chasing 187, New Milton's response was emphatic.

Openers Joe Wooster and Sam Giles dominated from the outset, putting together a match-winning opening stand of 138. Giles was particularly aggressive, smashing 59 from only 36 deliveries, including 11 fours, before becoming the only wicket to fall when caught off the bowling of Anya Hughes.

Captain Wooster anchored the innings superbly. His unbeaten 79 from 85 balls, featuring 13 boundaries, combined perfectly with Giles' early assault to take the game away from Parley.

Any hopes of a Parley comeback were quickly extinguished as Grace Keating joined Wooster to finish the chase. Keating played with composure and fluency, finishing unbeaten on 37 from 38 balls, with five fours, as the pair shared an unbroken partnership of 50.

New Milton reached 188-1 with almost 14 overs to spare, sealing an emphatic victory and collecting maximum points.

Key Performances

Parley CC 3rd XI

Saichand Muddapuram 104 retired not out (76 balls)
Sam King 26
Jamie Weir 18

New Milton CC 2nd XI

Joe Wooster 79* (85 balls)
Sam Giles 59 (36 balls)
Grace Keating 37* (38 balls)

Best Bowling

Harry Beck 3-12 (8 overs, 6 maidens)
Elliott Bennett 2-40
Daniel Wooster 1-24

A clinical performance with both ball and bat ensured New Milton 2nd XI comfortably overcame Parley's challenge and maintained their momentum in Hampshire Cricket League Division 5A.