Surrey narrowly lost a thrilling Second XI Friendly against Warwickshire at Walmley CC this week, missing out by just one wicket.
Day one is reported here and there are reports on the second and third included below.
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Day 2
Day two started with Surery 0/0 in the second innings, facing down a first innings deficit caused by a Boyd Rankin inspired last wicket partnership the previous evening.
Opener Rory Burns was once again in good form, batting with the top order to score an impressive 83. When he was dismissed, Burns’ lynchpin role was taken by his Banstead colleague Tom Lancefield, whose equally good 66 saw him bat throughout the lower order, receiving good support from Tim Linley, who once again did well with the bat to notch 33.
Needing just under 200 for victory, Warwickshire had a tricky nine over spell to negotiate and the on-song Linley was once again the leading light for Surrey.
He removed both former Surrey batsman Laurie Evans and Steffan Piolet before the close to leave the hosts on a perilous 27/2 and setup a tantalising third day.
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Day 3
Surrey came within a whisker of an unlikely victory, but ended up on the wrong end of a one wicket defeat to Warwickshire on a topsy-turvy final day at Walmley CC.
Chasing 193 to win, the hosts began this morning on 27/2, with opener Jonathon Webb at the crease. In the absence of the resting Tim Linley, Jade Derbach and Tom Jewell opened up with the ball and started well, restricting the Bears’ scoring opportunities. However the batsmen dug in and Webb was to reach his half century to take the score to 80.
Matthew Dunn was brought into the attack to make the breakthrough, and sure enough in his first over he had Webb trapped in front for a well played 52. However, it was when Zafar Ansari was introduced that the game swung the visitors’ way.
He struck early, with Burton caught behind the wicket attempting to cut. Ansari was bowling with guile, and at the other end Dunn was bowling with great pace and aggression. Warwickshire were struggling to score, and this led to wicket taking opportunities. Dunn was to take another to put Surrey firmly in the driving seat with Warwickshire five down with still over 100 to get.
George Edwards replaced Dunn, looking to keep up the good work and he was to get reward when he forced Javid to miscue an attempted pull shot straight into Wilson’s grateful gloves. When Ansari then lured Best down the track to force a leading edge to Harinath, Warwickshire had lost five wickets for 38 runs and stood on the brink of defeat at 118/7.
The key period of the day, came just before and after lunch though. Tom Allin and Tom Milnes came together for the hosts and started to repel the Surrey attack. Their eighth wicket partnership grew to a precious 49 runs before Freddie Van Den Bergh was brought on to bowl.
He struck immediately when he got one to turn and clip Allin’s off bail. At 167/8, it was anyone’s game and Matthew Spriegel joined Van Den Bergh to try and prise out the remaining two wickets.
The Bears edged closer to the target, but Spreigel was to get the breakthough when Miller feathered a catch to Wilson. This left Warwickshire nine down with fifteen runs still to get.
Two balls later there was a huge bat pad appeal, but the umpire adjudged it hadn’t touched the edge. Surrey were then unable to make the final breakthrough with Milnes able to lead the hosts to victory with a big six over midwicket.
Day 3 Report and Photo by Michael Eden
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