Milnrow CC v Clifton CC

Matthew Owen was the star of the show on Saturday after taking 6 wickets as Milnrow beat Clifton by 75 runs.

Defending a total of 143, Milnrow bowled out Clifton for 67 thanks to Owen's match winning performance. The 18-year-old left arm spinner was promoted to the first team after taking 5 wickets in the seconds last weekend and had never bowled a ball in a competitive first team match prior to this game.

Owen (6-28) ripped through Clifton's top order, taking the first 5 wickets to fall as he and Milnrow professional, Babar Naeem (4-15), worked in tandem ensuring only two Clifton batsmen were able to reach double figures.

Naeem displayed great control in sending down 12 maidens in his first 13 overs.

Both teams started the day with two wins from their first three matches and after winning the toss, Clifton put Milnrow into bat on a damp wicket that proved difficult to score off.

Alex Bartley (1) was the first wicket to fall, out LBW to new Clifton professional Aganpodi Perera.

That brought professional Babar Naeem and Max Power together and the pair began to lay the foundations of a competitive total with a watchful partnership of 72 runs.

Both batsmen departed in quick succession as scoring became increasingly difficult after the inroduction of Clifton spinners Wright (2-20) and Morris (5-45). They accounted for the middle order as wickets began to tumble.

Milnrow found themselves in trouble at 99-7, but the final 10 overs yielded 43 valuable runs thanks to Adam Robinson (21 not out) and Dean Lord (13) who helped Milnrow to post a total that they were able to defend for the third match in succession.

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