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Midhurst can't find a winning ticket to Ryde
Midhurst's winning run came to an end on the Isle of Wight, but the loss to Ryde was an entertaining and exciting match which could have gone either way.
Simon Lush's amazing run continued with an unbeaten 115 following five successive scores of more than 50.
Midhurst skipper Tim Powell decided to field as the wicket looked slightly damp and over-watered.
Under a strong sun, his team were not convinced – more so as the wicket turned out to be true, low and slow with little to assist any bowler.
A high score was always likely and Midhurst bowled too many balls that found the boundary. Drysdale scored freely at the top of the order and, aided by two dropped catches, reached 109.
Ryde cantered along at close to six an over. Only Powell shackled the scoring and the only successes were wickets for Tom Hilson and Ken Jones.
With 12 overs left, Powell introduced Tom Atkins' medium pace into the attack and he demonstrated that bowling straight and full at the end of the innings is what's required.
He was rewarded with five for 34 but Midhurst were left to chase a total of 293 for nine.
This was by no means impossible on a calm wicket with a lightning-fast outfield and long boundaries.
Steve May departed for a duck but Lush and new recruit Tim Dixon rebuilt the innings then began to increase the rate. Dixon tried one ambitious shot too many and was out for a solid 45.
Lush continued to bat serenely and Midhurst batsmen came, scored at the right rate but then departed as Hilson, Chris May and Powell lost their wickets.
Midhurst required 137 from the last 20 overs and had five wickets intact but lost too many wickets to keep up the chase.
Lush's century was a masterclass in batsmanship and he was disappointed to be on the losing side having delivered the goods again.
As teams around them lost, Midhurst's 11-point loss moved them up to eighth, a respectable position given they lost their first three games.
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
