Doing battle in sub-tropical heat was the task confronting teams in the M Zaidi & Co Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division in Week 3. Richard Spiller and Daisy Huntington round up the weekend’s action from both the Open and Women’s Leagues.
Open Leagues
Esher v East Molesey
Depth and experience are invaluable when it comes to winning titles and East Molesey were grateful to two stalwarts for pulling off a fine two-wicket victory at Esher.
Needing 255 for victory, the visitors were distinct second-favourites when the pair joined forces at 219-8 in the 47th over after Harry Porter had become Sebastian Allison’s fourth victim. Key bowlers in Moles’ run of success over recent times, they underlined why their batting should not be underestimated either.
East Molesey entered the final over still needing eight, Tigg – who made 34no off 29 balls – running a leg-bye off Allison’s first delivery and then Westphal (27no from 13) following two off the next with a brace of boundaries which won the match, to give his side their third successive victory and put them top of the table by 12 points.
Esher’s 254 all out after choosing to bat owed much to Nicholas Smit (58) and Andrew Whaits (70no), Surrey’s Nikhil Gorantla having made 25 earlier. Westphal claimed 4-39 in a fine all-round display, Porter finishing with 3-43.
Allison, recruited from Stanmore, snapped up three early wickets on the way to 4-43, Jack Scriven (55) and Clyde Fortuin (34) keeping Moles afloat before the final charge. Esher have lost two out of three so far to lie sixth.
Ashtead v Sutton
A thrilling finish saw Ashtead and Sutton finish with a tie.
The visitors had been bowled out for 252, after being sent in, Ashtead looking favourites for victory while Kiwi Lachie Stackpole and former England opener Mark Stoneman were lifting them from 20-2 in a third wicket alliance worth 149. But when Stoneman, making his first appearance of the season having been coaching Somerset’s batsmen, became the first victim of a fine spell from Sam Seadon (5-43) in the 38th over, the match changed again. He removed Conor Young four balls later and now it was down to Kiwi Stackpole.
He gained some support from Daniel Geddes (19) and Ben Sidwell (13) but Sutton kept pecking away, the last over arriving at 246-8, with five needed for victory. George Jackson conceded no runs from the first two balls, a leg-bye coming from the third and Stackpole managing a single off the fourth. Martin was run out from the penultimate ball of the innings but Sam Hunt took a boundary off the final delivery to level the scores, Stackpole stuck at the other end on 130no.
Earlier, opener Cameron Tanner (53) and Jayden Broodryk’s 64 led the visitors’ batting, Surrey’s Josh Blake making 35 on his first appearance of the season. Left-arm spinner Tom Homes returned 3-44 from 10 overs.
Guildford v Normandy
An unbeaten 155 from Finn Gordon condemned Normandy to their third defeat, securing victory for Guildford by seven wickets in the battle of the promoted sides.
The 19-year-old left-hander has made a prolific arrival in the Surrey Cricket Championship, making 100 in the opening match against East Molesey and then 90 at Sutton.
Gordon, who came through the Hampshire Academy and has been playing for the county’s second team this season, supervised a successful chase which saw Normandy’s 291-7 from 50 overs passed with seven overs in hand.
The visitors owed much to Nisal Francisco’s 104 from 90 after his side had slipped to 13-2, finding solid allies in Jack Nightingale (32) and Tom Haynes (27), Michael Walter’s enterprising 73no from 59 balls ensuring the bowlers had something to defend.
Gordon, who had earlier taken 2-52 from 10, launched the chase with an opening stand of 105 in just 13.1 overs with Ben Garrett (29), Normandy having a sliver of hope when Tom Geffen (17) was followed back to the pavilion by Australian Blake MacDonald (10) to make it 171-3 in the 27th over.
But there was no stopping Gordon, who hit 16 fours and six sixes in his 132-ball stay, Fred McMillan (49no) providing the ideal support as they completed Guildford’s second victory in three games. That put them second, having lost to East Molesey by 1 run two weeks earlier. Their trip to Reigate Priory on Saturday will provide a stern test..
Normandy lay bottom with 11 points so far, hopeful that a home date against Ashtead will offer them the opportunity to record a win before the longer time matches start next month.
Wimbledon v Reigate Priory
Wimbledon were grateful to the class and composure of Dane Vilas as they finally saw off Reigate Priory by three wickets.
The clash was never likely to achieve their heights of their meeting near the end of last season, a pot-boiler which went to the last ball and extended the title race until Wimbledon secured it in the final round.
A capricious pitch which made forcing the pace risky saw Priory reach 184-9 after opting to take first use, their hopes of a more challenging total fading when Richie Oliver – with a century and double- century in his previous two games – edging behind a fine delivery from Billy Sewell, who launched into a celebration which nearly left him needing oxygen.
Instead it was 63 from Tommy Bates, compiled over 99 deliveries, which provided the visitors with substance, backed by Garth Davson (28) and Surrey’s Tommy Ealham (23no). Wimbledon are clearly missing the punch of Matthew Benning with the new ball, through work commitments, although the lofty seamer turned up in time to roll the pitch between innings.
Priory were hit by Ollie Sheen being able to bowl just 10 balls because of a shoulder problem and had to wait for left-arm spinner Bates – varying his pace cleverly – to take return catches which dismissed both openers.
Even prolific Kiwi Jack Boyle found the going hard, chopping on from William Fenwick as the leg-spinner posed constant issues on his way to 3-38 in 10. But with Michael Munday having a rare bad day with the ball, the hosts were grateful to Sewell (36) for pushing them along, former South Africa wicketkeeper Vilas steering through what might have proved a tricky final stretch to finish with 34no as the points were secured with 6.3 overs to spare.
It was Reigate’s first defeat but just two points separate the sides, who are both expected to be around the top at the business end of the campaign.
Banstead v Spencer
Hugo Darby’s century spearheaded Spencer’s victory by 56 runs, condemning Banstead to a third defeat in as many weeks.
The opener cracked 113 from 105 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes, on the way to 305-9 after choosing to bat first, Rishan Herath’s 60 offering support lower down.
If the hosts fancied their chances, their optimism took a hit when they were reduced to 15-3, Surrey’s Ralphie Albert – who had earlier restrained the Wandsworth side with 0-51 in 10 overs – the only member of the top three to get off the mark as he made 11. Australian Patrick Rowe’s 61 sparked the resistance, wicketkeeper Alex Dodson making a run-a-ball 62. But with Harshil Patel returning to finish what he had started with 4-19 from six and Ruairidh Barker taking 3-39 from seven, Banstead were dismissed for 249.
Third last year, they have taken just 18 points so far to linger in ninth spot.
Best of the rest
Sunbury got the better of a run feast as they overcame Old Rutlishians by 120 runs.
Aiming for an immediate return to the Premier Division, the hosts posted a mighty 442-6 after being sent in, Australian Hugh Weibgen’s brutal 100 from 62 balls joining with Stuart Van Der Merwe’s 123 in 90 before skipper Sam Burgess smashed 69 from 32 at the end, 50 of them coming in boundaries.
Surrey’s Ryan Patel – who switched from Wimbledon during the winter – kept a partial brake on the scoring in taking 2-58 from 10 but was removed for a single off George O’Connor. Jack Marston ensured ORs went down fighting alongside some useful contributions from the Merton side, who finished at 322-8 but at least took six points from a bruising afternoon.
Sunbury share the lead with Camberley, who also made it three from three by overhauling Valley End’s 250-8 by eight wickets with seven overs to spare.
At the other end of the table, Rutlishians are only being kept off the bottom by Weybridge, whose travails increased when they went down to neighbours Walton by 14 runs.
T20 update
There have been some shocks in the Edwards Cup, the Surrey Cricket Championship’s elite T20 competition.
Last year’s losing finalists – and frequent winners – Wimbledon were knocked out by Malden Wanderers, who won by eight wickets after bowling out their opponents for just 68.
But that was trumped by holders East Molesey suffering a five-wicket reverse at the hands of second division Maori Oxshott, paying the price for being bowled out for 129 before Xander Brown’s 35 sealed the deal with two overs left.
Coming on Sunday
For those who may not fancy a Sunday afternoon at the Kia Oval watching the Vitality Blast, there are plenty of alternatives in the shape of the ECB National Club Championship group semi-finals.
East Molesey host Harefield in group 11, the winners taking either Banbury or Shepherds Bush. Sunbury entertain Teddington with a tie against Middleton or High Wycombe as the prize.
There’s travelling involved for both Sutton and Reigate Priory in group 15, heading to Nonington and Preston Nomads respectively, while in group 16 Banstead make the journey to Lordswood with the victor up against one of two Championship sides – Esher or Wimbledon. The 40-overs matches start at 1pm.
You can find live scores, results, fixtures and tables at surreycricketchampionship.play-cricket.com.
Women’s Leagues
Richmond vs Reigate Priory
Reigate Priory continued their impressive start to the season with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Richmond, maintaining their position at the top of the table with maximum points after two rounds.
Put into bat at Old Deer Park, Richmond found scoring difficult against a disciplined Priory attack. Christobel Pitt’s 3 for 26 ensured regular breakthroughs, well supported by Amelia Leonard (2 for 12) and Sophie Dawes (2 for 19), as the hosts were restricted to 108 for 9. Lily Spillard’s 22 and Ayesha Shah’s patient 18 offered some resistance but lacked the support required to build a competitive total.
Reigate Priory’s response was emphatic. Sara Kodilkar led the way with a fluent unbeaten 59, sharing an opening stand of 52 with Lauren Parish (27) which effectively settled the contest. The target was reached in just 12 overs, Hannah Dougherty unbeaten alongside Kodilkar as Priory underlined their early title credentials.
Sutton vs Streatham and Marlborough
At Cheam Road, Sutton produced the standout batting display of the weekend to defeat Streatham & Marlborough by 48 runs. Rebecca Denman anchored the innings superbly, finishing unbeaten on 106 from 91 balls, an innings containing 15 boundaries and setting the platform for Sutton’s 206 for 4. Vidhi Patel provided excellent support with a well-constructed 50, while Aarthi Karunakaran’s brisk unbeaten 17 ensured a strong finish.
Streatham & Marlborough’s bowlers competed well in patches, Ellen Murphy-Wanless returning 2 for 37 and Lottie Hayward conceding just 24 from six overs, but the target proved just out of reach. Louise Nichols led the reply with a composed 56, while Crystal Hanslal struck an aggressive 49 to keep hopes alive through the middle overs. However, Sneha Mohan (3 for 34) and Shreyasi Remella (2 for 20) ensured Sutton retained control, restricting the visitors to 158 for 8.
Weybridge vs Shepperton
Shepperton secured their first win of the campaign with a convincing 62-run success over Weybridge. Batting first, Ella Clinton’s excellent 72 laid the foundation for 200 for 9, with Carla Myles contributing 35 and Helen Kopicki adding 25 in a solid all-round batting effort. Weybridge’s E Duncan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 28, while E Townsend claimed 2 for 31.
In reply, Weybridge were unable to keep pace despite a positive start from Sadie Amos, who struck 40 at the top of the order. Myles capped a fine all-round display with 4 for 24, while Clinton (2 for 27) and Laura Quinn provided key support as Weybridge were dismissed for 138.
After two rounds, Reigate Priory lead the way with 40 points, while Weybridge sit second courtesy of bonus points despite defeat. Sutton and Streatham & Marlborough are level on 22 points, with Shepperton close behind following their first win, leaving Richmond still searching for their opening points of the season.
With a commanding team performance from Reigate Priory and a memorable century from Denman, the Women’s Premier Division continues to gather momentum as sides begin to find their rhythm.
Best of the Rest
In Division 1, Wimbledon continued their strong start to the campaign with a second successive victory, overcoming Dulwich by 14 runs in a competitive contest. Setting 170, Wimbledon were made to work hard for the points as Dulwich responded with determination, reaching 156 for 6 and collecting a useful haul of bonus points despite falling just short.
Elsewhere, Woodmansterne maintained their unbeaten start with an impressive chase, overhauling Spencer’s 179 for 9 to reach 183 for 2 and keep themselves firmly in the promotion picture. Chertsey also secured a valuable win, edging past Ashtead in a low-scoring encounter, reaching 87 for 5 after dismissing their opponents for 86.
Division 2 East already has a three-way tie at the summit, with Banstead, Purley and Reigate Priory 2nd XI all boasting perfect starts. Banstead produced the tightest finish of the round, defending 172 for 7 to defeat Horley by just five runs. Reigate Priory’s second string recorded a comfortable seven-wicket success over Oxted and Limpsfield, while Purley completed the trio with a convincing chase against Streatham & Marlborough 2nd XI.
In Division 2 West, Valley End delivered the most emphatic result of the weekend, their total of 243 for 5 proving far too much for Godalming, who were dismissed for 68 in reply. Esher also made it a winning start with a six-wicket success against Sunbury, while Guildford collected maximum points following a concession from Malden Wanderers.
Southwark Park continued their unbeaten run in Division 3 Central with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Epsom, chasing down 181 with confidence to reach 183 for 1. Old Rutlishians were involved in a far tighter affair, edging a one-wicket win over Sanderstead in a contest that went down to the wire.
Division 3 North provided more close finishes, with Egham securing a one-wicket win over Chiswick, while Twickenham held their nerve to chase 156 and maintain their perfect start. East Molesey remain alongside them at the top, with multiple sides already establishing early momentum.
In Division 3 South, Effingham strengthened their position at the summit after being awarded victory following Cranleigh’s concession. Newdigate recorded an emphatic 65-run win over Leatherhead, while Horsley & Send completed the round’s action with a comfortable seven-wicket success against Outwood.
Across the lower divisions, a mix of tight finishes and dominant wins ensured another competitive and fast-moving weekend as the early-season tables begin to take shape.
