Ollie Sykes scored a blistering century as Surrey finished the first day of their Second XI Championship match with Gloucestershire at Thornbury CC
Captain Sykes decision to insert the hosts paid off as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 161 inside 38 overs. Batting at three, Sykes then scored 107 as Surrey reached 249/4 at stumps.
The day got off to the best start as Alex French removed Glos opener Dunne with the first ball of the match and fellow opener Bowden for 4.
In seamer-friendly conditions, number four Joseph Eckland decided that attack was the best form of defence. He smashed 16 boundaries, including six sixes, hitting 94 of Gloucestershire’s 161 runs.
As Eckland wreaked havoc with the bat from one end, the Surrey bowlers wreaked even more from the other. Academy seam bowlers Marlie Simpson (4/33) and Ollie Gibson (3/27) impressed with the ball, taking regular wickets as five Glos batters falling without score.
Just number ten Pip Jackson was the only other batter to reach double figures as Glos were all out for 161 in 37.4 overs.
Surrey were reduced to 79/3 with Haxton (9), Gorantla (24) and Dodson (19) falling. But captain Ollie Sykes and Tim Lloyd (70*) added 168 for the fourth wicket. Sykes smashed three sixes and 12 fours on his way to 107 from 135 balls.
Wimbledon batter Tim Lloyd hit ten fours and two sixes on his was to 70 not out. Sykes fell 11 balls before the close as he was bowled by Johnson.
Surrey finished the day on 249/4 with a lead of 88 runs heading into the second day at Thornbury.
