Milnrow maintain excellent start

Milnrow maintained their excellent start to the Pennine Cricket League Championship with another thumping outright win, this time against Oldham CC.

Milnrow were put into bat but did not find scoring easy in the first twenty overs. Alex Willis and Lee Crabtree put on 32 for the first wicket but it took 14 overs, before Crabtree was bowled for 18. Professional Rudi Second joined Willis and they added 43 before Willis went for 28 in the 26th over. From this point, Second went through his gears yet again.

He scored his first 50 off 64 balls but went on to score his century from 88 balls. It was a well deserved reward for a patient innings before Second established full control over the bowling. He was supported first by De Villiers who made 23 and then by the skipper, Max Power, who made 44 from 45 balls.

Power was happy to let Second smash the ball to all parts whilst punishing the bad balls himself. Second moved from 100 to 143 in just 14 balls as he hit three sixes out of the ground before eventually falling when going for another big hit. It was another superb innings from the South African. Milnrow made 273 for 6 from their 50 overs.

Milnrow's bowlers were straight into the Oldham batsmen as Fanie De Villiers struck twice in the first over. He bowled with great rhythm and pace as both openers were caught in the gully by Second. Aaron Brown then picked up the key wicket off Boyce in the second over and Oldham were 4 for 3.

They never recovered even despite a good innings of 48 from Tufail. Milnrow took wickets regularly and it was great to see 18 year old Faad Khan pick up three middle order wickets, including that of Tufail for 48. Milnrow wrapped up the game in the 34th over when De Villiers returned to take the final wicket and finish with 3 for 27.

Milnrow know that they will face tougher opposition this season but this was another comprehensive win for a team that is increasingly strong in all key areas and has a number of match winners. They face Shaw at home on Saturday.