Midhurst's stars are anything but idle against Idlers

Midhurst responded well following their dismal performance at Gosport with a dominant win at home to mid-table Idlers, picking up a maximum 24 points in division one of the Hampshire League.

Midhurst skipper Tim Powell elected to field with conditions making batting look tricky.

Opening bowlers Chris May and Powell looked dangerous from the outset and bowled their allotted overs straight through restricting the visitors to 61 for two after 20 overs.

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Mr Consistent Nalinda Premachandra came into the attack producing yet another frugal spell, taking one for 17 in ten overs. He was ably supported by Ryan Lewis who claimed three victims.

Idlers opener G Shepherd batted well for 63 but with the exception of J Cranch (38) and A Richards (27) the visitors offered very little resistance.

Jamie Hall ended the innings with a second spell that yielded three wickets in 13 balls leaving Idlers 180 all out.

Midhurst started confidently and openers Steve May and Graham Braithwaite played shots from the outset and got the hosts to 64 without loss after 15 overs.

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Braithwaite fell for 37 and May soon followed for a classy 41 leaving Midhurst 93 for two. Nevertheless, Hall and Ed Atkins consolidated and made victory almost inevitable before the latter fell to a dubious lbw decision with the score at 135.

The younger of the two Atkins brothers in the team, Tom, was soon back in the hutch, which brought Powell in with Midhurst 40 shy.

Hall continued his fine run of form and the pair quickly knocked off the remaining runs with Hall finishing on an unbeaten 34 and Powell 22 not out.

Midhurst remain fifth in the league.

This week they host strugglers Compton & Chandlers Ford knowing a big win could keep the promotion dream alive.

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Midhurst seconds’ run of four victories on the spin came to an end at Whitchurch.

The hosts reached 199 for nine thanks to 44 from the last five overs, before Midhurst came up six runs short. They remain fourth in the league.

Salthill v Matchtech

Regional three south east

On a wintery afternoon, Salthill took on lowly Matchtech needing to win the toss and field first on this drying wicket.

Skipper Nick Bishop was as consistent as ever ... and loss the toss. Matchtech took advantage and had Salthill scoring only 51 off 19 overs when two quick wickets fell.

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A middle-order crisis followed and only tail-end resistance gave Matchtech the opportunity for batting practice. Salthill were 125 all out, Alec Wallsgrove top-scoring with 31.

Salthill fielded well and there was some oustanding bowling from Bishop (4-19), Mann and Court.

Matchtech were in trouble but Salthill failed to finish them off and lost by one wicket in a game played in great spirit by both teams.

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