Milnrow CC beaten in play-off game

Milnrow were comprehensively beaten in the PCL Premiership play off at Monton on Saturday and so will play in the PCL Championship in the 2017 season.

The team went into the game with optimism with sub-pro Ashar Zaidi joining up with the team and Max Power passing a fitness test on Thursday.

Skipper Lee Crabtree put Monton in to bat in the hope that Milnrow could take quick wickets but they did not take the planned early breakthrough, with opener Chapman surviving a strong appeal for a caught behind and several half chances for catches not quite reaching the fielders.

The opening partnership continued to grow and as it did Milnrow's bowling became a little ragged. The openers put on 160 for the first wicket and when Chapman was taken, England one-day player Samit Patel came to the wicket and played a number of aggressive shots and reached his 50 with a big six off the last ball of the innings.

The Monton score of 254-2 showed the strength of their team and left the Milnrow lads heavily reliant on pro Zaidi and the top order.

Zaidi played well for his 44 runs but he could not build the partnerships with the top order that would see Milnrow put in the run chase that was required.

Wilson, Crabtree, Power and Helliwell were all out before the score reached 60 and it was clear that Zaidi was the key to any chance of victory.

When he was bowled for 44, Milnrow's last real chance disappeared and the Milnrow supporters had to content themselves with an enjoyable last wicket partnership between Aaron Brown and Brad Smith.

The two put on 41 for the last wicket with some good old fashioned slogging, particularly against Samit Patel, which brought smiles to Milnrow faces but ultimately when Brown was bowled, Milnrow had lost by 89 runs.

Milnrow have a very young team and there has been progress in many players this season. There is clearly talent in all departments but also they need greater experience and belief at key moments in games if they are to secure promotion next season. With this in mind, the club has signed Saeed Anwar Junior as professional next season and his experience and proven class with bat and ball will be crucial in their quest to get back into the top division.