Surrey Academy’s Rebecca Denman smashed an unbeaten century to steer Sutton CC home in the Women’s Premier Division of the Surrey Cricket Championship, while we reach two-thirds of the way through this year’s M Zaidi Men’s Surrey Cricket Championship, with battles at the top and bottom of the Premier Division getting tenser. Richard Spiller and Reet Bhari report…
East Molesey v Esher
Once looking like a procession, the title race has been broken open by Esher inflicting East Molesey’s first defeat of the season.
A lead which had stretched to 55 points is now down to 18 after the visitors won by 17 runs in an absorbing low-scoring derby.
Esher’s apparently modest 163 all out was defended tigerishly in the field by a three-pronged seam attack, despite the stern resistance of Moles skipper Tom Cullen, whose 53 saw him cope better with the vagaries of a pitch offering indifferent bounce than anyone else in the two sides.
Having sent in the visitors, he had been handicapped by the lack of a third seamer. Ollie Hunt (29), Alex Chambers (30) and Don Bouchart (29) all made early progress but Esher needed an eighth wicket stand worth 39 between Nathan Roberts (21) and Seb Allison (28) to lift themselves from 115-7 before being dismissed for 163 in the 52nd over. Andy Westphal (3-45) and Toby Porter (3-43) took much of the load, Michael Shean cleaning up the tail with 3-10 but Cullen’s policy of employing sweepers offering the visitors more easy singles than might have been the case.
East Molesey had only narrowly escaped a first defeat seven days earlier at Ashtead but a deep batting line would surely pay off. They were soon in strife, Ben Townsend bowling Jake Kings and Jack Scriven to leave them 8-2. Clyde Fortuin’s breezy 14 was terminated by a return catch for Seb Allison, who also removed the more patient Shean for 14. Former Glamorgan bat Cullen was already looking the key man and that was even more the case when Marcus Campopiano and Luka Woods were swept away for ducks to leave the hosts 67-6.
Joe Lavender’s return from an elbow injury has given Esher an added prong to their attack, bowling the dangerous Sam Burge for 12 and when Westphal followed it was 102-8. After some nervy early moments, Anuj Malik settled in to accompany Cullen as they inched towards their target in a partnership worth 38. But when the excellent Allison (39) returned to remove Cullen for 53 it was down the last pair, Malik (27) proving his own undoing as he tried to take an unlikely single off Lavender and being stranded in mid pitch as the bowler threw down the stumps.
Amid all the excitement, a Russian Goose lingered on the edge of the square throughout much of the afternoon. Clearly it takes a bit more to impress them.
Normandy v Guildford
Neighbours Normandy pushed Guildford a step closer to the trap door in a run-starved tussle.
The visitors could muster only 93 after being sent in, bowled out in 32.2 overs, and owed much of that to Jason Soames making 48, including eight fours. Australian import Blake Macdonald’s 15 was the only other score in double-figures as Surrey U18 Ollie Gibson (4-21) and left-arm spinner Viggy Venkateswaran (4-25) burrowed through.
Yet Normandy were soon in disarray at 12-3 thanks to a triple strike from James Macmillan, Gibson making 16 and then opener Harry Bowen (11) following at 51-5. It took 31 from Tom Haynes to guarantee Normandy victory – their fourth in a row – as they finally scrambled in by two wickets to maintain their place in the top half of the table.
For Guildford it was a fourth successive setback and they have taken just seven points from the last six games, leaving them 40 points from safety.
Reigate Priory v Wimbledon
Keeping their title looks beyond them but Wimbledon relished giving Reigate Priory – so often rivals for top spot – a shove back into the relegation zone.
Richie Oliver (46) and George Ealham (61) had ensured the hosts recovered from 2-2 after being sent in but after that only Agnideep Sarkar (51) made much headway on the way to being bowled out for 218 in the 66th and final over. Skipper Steve Reeves carried the burden of his side’s attack, the left-arm spinner returning 3-64 from 22.5 overs.
Alex Barrett’s 45 dominated an opening stand of 70 in tandem with Tim Lloyd (19), Priory still hoping for a turnaround when Kiwi Jack Boyle departed for 11 at 92-3. But Billy Sewell (63no) and Adam Fox (62) took control in adding 115 which all but settled the match, Wimbledon winning by six wickets – their first win of an unusually barren July – to stay in fourth position. Priory are seven points off safety and will look to take advantage of Guildford’s troubles at Woodbridge Road on Saturday.
Sutton v Ashtead
Could Sutton make a run for the title?
Victory by six wickets over stuttering Ashtead was their third win out of four in July, putting them 40 points off the pace but with momentum in their favour.
They bowled out the visitors for 216 in the 62nd over, removing Nathan Farmer for a duck with the sixth ball of the match but then seeing Joe Willis (63) and Dylan Church (17) add 84. Breaking that partnership changed the game, Ashtead sinking to 109-6 against off-spinner Harry Gardner (2-45) and Fabian Cowdrey’s left-arm wrist spin (3-67). It took last man Sam Hunt’s hard-hit 48 from 30 balls – dominating a 10th wicket partnership of 60 with Tom Homes (10) – to offer Ashtead hope before George Jackson finished what he had started in claiming 5-73.
Sutton also suffered an early loss when Cameron Tanner departed for a single, Ansh Bansal (62) and Ryan Hackney righting the ship. The Australian skipper went on to make a typically steady 61no and with Ben Rutherford (48no) saw Sutton to victory with time to spare.
Ashtead might have expected to be the ones eyeing up a challenge for the top but instead are eighth, seven points from the drop zone and cautiously glancing at what lies below.
Spencer v Banstead
Spencer’s first win since mid-June eased their fears of a fight for survival in the final weeks of the campaign.
It took them up to sixth, having started the day in the relegation zone, although they are by no means secure yet. The same can be said for Banstead, one place below them.
Neil Baker’s 58 held the visitors together after two quick wickets for Jackson Saggers while Alex Dodson (35), Harri Aravinthan (42) and Ahmed Khan (42no) all added meat to the bone before off-spinner Gus Grant (4-88) finished them off for 240 in the 66th over.
Hugo Darby’s 75 set the tone for the reply, Jamal Khan (89) and Rishan Herath (51no) taking control of the match. Banstead str twice with defeat looking almost certain serving only to reduce the margin to six wickets.
Best of the rest
Two defeats in eight days have disrupted Sunbury’s seemingly certain progression back to the Premier Division.
A three-wicket setback against Weybridge was followed by Saturday’s loss by four wickets at Old Rutlishians.
Opener Rajan Soni (52), skipper Sam Burgess (84) and Colby Dyer’s 58 ensured the leaders made what seemed likely to be a fireproof 317-7dec, coming off after 59 overs, Faizan Riaz and Trishan Patel rewarded for hard labours with three wickets each.
Riaz was far from finished, though, hitting 100 off 96 balls and enjoying a fifth wicket stand of 94 with Harry Foyle (40), Nomaan Ali’s unbeaten 39 supervising the rest of the chase.
Sunbury still enjoy a cushion of 39 points over Valley End, who bowled out Camberley for just 63 before despatching them by nine wickets. There were seven ducks in the Camberley innings as Rahul Singh (5-28) and Ed Young (3-11) did much of the damage, Valley End knocking off the runs in 6.5 overs.
Just 19 points divide the teams in second and seventh places.
Tables – Premier Division (9/18)
1 East Molesey 215; 2 Esher 197; 3 Sutton 175; 4 Wimbledon 160; 5 Normandy 145; 6 Spencer 127; 7 Banstead 124; 8 Ashtead 117; 9 Reigate Priory 110; 10 Guildford 77.
Division 1
1 Sunbury 208; 2 Valley End 169; 3 Malden Wdrs 165; 4 Dulwich 159; 5 Weybridge 156; 6 Rutlishians 154; 7 Camberley 150; 8 Walton 127; 9 Hamptonians 104; 10 Beddington 85.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION – SURREY CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP
Richmond CC v Reigate Priory CC
Reigate Priory continued their impressive season with a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Richmond, successfully chasing 146 with two overs to spare.
Richmond were bowled out for 145 after Aadya Agarwal top scored with 45, while Emily Barker added a quickfire 25. Reigate shared the wickets around, with Bella Barton and Esmae Vos both taking two wickets.
The chase was far from straightforward as Reigate slipped to 81-6 before Millie Hetherington and Leah Dexter added a crucial 50-run stand for the seventh wicket. Hetherington finished unbeaten on 38, while Esmae Vos had earlier made 39 to help steer Reigate to another valuable victory. The win maintains Reigate’s perfect record at the top of the table.
Shepperton CC v Weybridge CC
Shepperton produced one of the performances of the weekend, cruising to a nine-wicket victory over Weybridge after chasing 157 in just over 24 overs.
Weybridge posted 156-6, with Elize Brown carrying her bat for an unbeaten 60 and Daisy Feast making 34. Ella Clinton starred with the ball, taking two wickets, as Shepperton kept the scoring under control.
The chase was led by Clinton’s unbeaten 73 from 68 balls after Eloise Phillips had made 40 at the top of the order. Laura Cardoso finished unbeaten on 33 as Shepperton comfortably reached their target with nine wickets in hand. The result moves Shepperton above Weybridge into third place on the table.
Streatham & Marlborough CC v Sutton CC
Sutton strengthened their hold on second place with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Streatham & Marlborough, chasing 173 in just 24.4 overs.
Streatham & Marlborough posted 172-8, with Louise Nichols making 64, while Sutton’s bowlers shared the wickets, led by Rebecca Denman, Deepthi Dhulappanavar and Aarthi Karunakaran with two apiece.
The chase belonged to Denman, who’s unbeaten 103 from 80 balls guided Sutton home after early wickets. She was well supported by Aashny Rajnikanth as Sutton completed a comfortable victory with more than 10 overs to spare.
Best of the Rest
Across the wider Women’s Championship, several sides continued to strengthen their positions, with dominant wins and important results across the divisions.
In Division One, Chertsey recorded a convincing nine-wicket win over Ashtead, while Wimbledon and Spencer also picked up strong victories against Dulwich and Woodmansterne respectively, keeping the division tightly contested.
In Division Two East, Banstead remain unbeaten after a huge 108-run victory over Horley. Reigate Priory 2nd XI stayed in second with an eight-wicket win over Oxted & Limpsfield, while Purley edged Streatham & Marlborough 2nd XI by three runs to remain third.
In Division Two West, Guildford maintained top spot with an eight-wicket win over Malden Wanderers, while Valley End remain second after a concession from Godalming. Sunbury also moved off the bottom with victory over Esher.
In Division Three Central, Epsom extended their lead with an eight-wicket win over Beddington, while Old Rutlishians claimed a narrow one-wicket victory against Southwark Park. Sanderstead also collected maximum points after Dulwich 2nd XI conceded.
In Division Three North, East Molesey remain unbeaten at the top after Walton-on-Thames conceded to Thames Ditton.
Finally, in Division Three South, Dorking continued their excellent form with a 98-run win over Effingham, while Cranleigh and Outwood also picked up important victories against Horsley & Send and Leatherhead.
