Coached by Hugh’s dad when he played his formative years at Horsham, Neil was an elegant top order batsman who played for the former West Chiltington CC for many years with the likes of Brian Chambers, Chaloner, Fitz and Gee. Left handed batsmen always look better and Miller caressed the ball whilst others gave it a whack. He also bowled and kept wicket a bit too before retiring to be the merged club’s second chairman. Under his tenure, we saw the building of the West Chilt pavilion plus promotion to the County League for the first time.
Here's Neil's all-time West Chilt and Thakeham XI...
1. Brian Chambers: what can I say, opens the batting and a solid first change.
2. Tom Chambers: most natural keeper we have and could open with his Dad or a solid middle order if keeping takes its toll.
3. Rob Llewellyn: not sure where Bob fits in, loads of runs but dodgy technique, he wouldn’t be happy at number 5, so I’ll slot him in at 3 and move TJ and GM down one.
4. Tim Jarvis: class number 3 (at 4)
5. Grant Morrish: class number 4 (at 5)
6. Dave Robinson: this line-up is full of batting; he goes in at 6 or opens if TC doesn’t.
7. Mick Armstrong: would open the bowling to compliment JC and bat late middle order, probably 6 or 7
8. James Howgate: middle order bat, probably 8 in this team, excellent fielder and now I have a spinner too which just about justifies his batting position
9. Reuben Taylor: bats 9 in this side and bowls
10. Tim van Noort: another first change bowler or could open when Mick is crocked, most of the time, bats 10
11. James Chaloner: will open the bowling and moan that he is batting no 11.