Milton seconds wrap up 174-total with eight overs to spare

VISITORS Notts & Arnold thirds decided to bat first at the Riverside Ground on Saturday, in hope of batting Milton seconds out of the game.

However, opener K.Vyis was sent back with the score on 18 by a superb one-handed diving catch at slip by Phil Davies, off the bowling of Jon Tann.

A stubborn innings of 61 by Daryl Slater provided the backbone for their innings, but wickets at the other end continued to fall.

Off spinner Dom Startup ripped the heart out of the middle order with four for 39 off 11 overs, and the returning opening bowlers, Jon Tann and Chris Redfearn, mopped up the lower order with figures of three for 36 and three for 24 respectively.

The visitor's innings ended on 173, which looked to be below par, leaving Milton 48 overs to score the 174 runs required for victory.

The opening partnership of Rob Handy (22) and Richard Wolstenholme took the score to 60, before Handy fell to a catch behind by Pidluszny.

Wolstenholme continued to control the innings with a fine 75, before he fell late on lbw to Green.

Craig Jewitt's aggressive 38 provided the perfect foil for the opener, and although a couple of late wickets fell relatively cheaply, Milton were guided to their target with eight overs remaining by vice-captain Ryan Harkness (11 not out) and stylish newcomer Neil Kaye (3 not out).

This was a very efficient, all-round performance by an improving Milton seconds, who will hope to take some well deserved confidence into next week's visit to table-topping Rose Leisure.