It was a successful weekend across the board for New Milton Cricket Club, with the women’s team, the seconds, and the thirds all recording impressive victories to continue their strong starts to the season.

The women’s team produced a superb display to secure a 26-run win away at Alton despite travelling with only 10 players. Batting first, New Milton piled up an imposing 283-4 thanks to a magnificent partnership of 182 between Swara Urankar and Grace Keating.

Urankar was unfortunate to miss out on a century after being run out for 91, while Keating carried her bat for a superb unbeaten 139. Tilda Mowat added 23 as New Milton took full advantage of a batter-friendly wicket.

Alton responded well and threatened to make a game of the chase, but Beth Cassidy struck twice early to put the visitors in control. Jess Glover, Izzy Hill and Urankar all chipped in with wickets, while Lucia Hill and Keating each claimed two run outs. With Alton needing 30 from the final two overs, New Milton held their nerve to restrict the hosts to 257 and seal another valuable victory.

The seconds were also celebrating after winning a run-filled encounter by 27 runs away at Hyde.

Stand-in captain Dan Wooster elected to bat and watched Sam Giles produce a remarkable maiden century. After surviving an early chance, Giles dominated the attack on his way to 104 from just 68 balls. Richard Howard blasted 58 from only 27 deliveries, and Wooster added a quickfire 36 as New Milton amassed 310 all out.

Hyde responded strongly, with Matthew Cakebread (57), Sid Harris (52) and Chris Cooke (72) keeping the chase alive. However, Grace Keating again proved influential, claiming three key wickets, including both Cakebread and Harris, to halt Hyde’s momentum.

Wooster also took 3-41, while Elliott Bennett collected 3-70, including the crucial wicket of Cooke just as the game threatened to swing. Hyde were eventually dismissed for 283, securing a hard-earned victory that kept New Milton top of the table.

Meanwhile, the thirds returned to winning ways with a commanding all-round performance.

Asked to bowl first, New Milton quickly took control through Matt Oxford, who ripped through the opposition with an excellent four-wicket haul. Youngster Luke Ruane continued his development with two wickets of his own as the hosts were bundled out for just 95.

The chase proved straightforward. Kristian Locke maintained his outstanding run of form with a blistering 51 from only 30 balls, bringing up his fifth consecutive half-century. Alongside Foster Bailey and Peter Wakefield, who both finished unbeaten, Locke helped New Milton race to victory inside 12 overs and complete a perfect weekend for the club.