A tight and tense tussle at Preston Nomads CC in Fulking saw Surrey’s 2nd XI just fail to haul in Sussex 2nd XI’s total of 144/5.
With thoughts turning to the commencement of this year’s T20 Vitality Blast next week, players from both clubs enjoyed a tough workout on a sporting pitch.
Surrey’s bowling attack kept Sussex at bay, with the veteran Luke Wright the only batter to pass fifty in the innings. Nathan Barnwell bowled with real pace and aggression to claim two prize wickets, with Wright caught at third man making room to upper cut, and then Ravi Bopara chipping a rising delivery to long leg.
Barnwell’s excellence was complemented by Ben Townsend (2-32), while the spinners Dan Moriarty and the skipper Cameron Steel were models of control, going for just 38 from their combined eight overs.
Steel was the only other wicket-taker, claiming the scalp of Archie Lenham to a sharp catch from Laurie Evans in the covers.
In reply Surrey lost two early wickets, with Ben Geddes and Evans going in quick succession inside the first three overs, but a commanding partnership between the willowy right-hander Angus Lovell (38) and Steel took Surrey to 83 in the 12th over before Lovell slapped a pull-shot hard and true but straight to deep square leg.
His departure prompted a middle-order wobble but with Steel living up to his name, the target never got away from the visitors, and when he brought up his fifty with a flat six from Bopara from his 39th delivery, it left Surrey needing 24 from the last three overs.
But with 12 needed from nine balls, Steel was caught at backward point from a low full toss, leaving the wicketkeeper Sam Smith to shoulder the run-chase. Barnwell joined him for the final over but with 10 needed, Sussex were able to close out the match, leaving Surrey five runs short.
The Second XI are next in action on Monday 23 May at The Kia Oval, with a 2pm start against the same opponents.
Updates on the matches will be provided on Surrey CCC social media channels , a live score will be available to follow on the NV Play platform and full reports will be posted on kiaoval.com after the games have finished.
For a full list of upcoming Second XI fixtures click here.Â
