The rain might have held off long enough for Surrey to complete victory over Middlesex at Lord’s but it spoilt the AJ Sports Surrey Championship programme, the second complete washout of the season. Richard Spiller combs through the meagre action possible in the Premier Division, with the campaign about to enter its final six weeks.
Wimbledon v Sunbury
Leaders Sunbury hoped former Middlesex and England strokemaker Owais Shah would help them see off defending champions Wimbledon but rain proved the winner.
Sent in, Sunbury had lost both openers with 26 on the board but recovered in style, Nico Reifer’s 34 understandably overshadowed by Martin Andersson crashing 75no from 61 balls. The Middlesex all-rounder hit 14 fours in his 61-ball stay while Shah was 13no from 18 when the game was terminated at 139-3 from 26 overs. There was a wicket apiece for Oliver Pike, Matthew Benning and Ben Twine.
Both sides took six points, Sunbury continuing to lead the table by 16 points while Wimbledon in second are level with Guildford.
East Molesey v Guildford
The clash of fourth versus third made it into the 29th over before steady rain arrived at Graburn Way. Moles skipper Nick Stevens – like several of his contemporaries – concentrated on packing in as many overs as possible just in case a resumption was possible at some stage. Taking advantage was Freddie Geffen, whose modest returns this season have belied his ability. He enjoyed an opening stand of 66 with fellow left-hander Ben Garrett, who made 28 before being bowled for 28. Geffen’s unbeaten 61 from 92 balls included 10 fours, Matt Teale hitting 28no when the players were forced off at 117-1.
Ashtead v Normandy
A contest between two teams anxiously looking below them lasted 26.2 overs before the rain arrived.
Level on points with ninth-placed Weybridge, the hosts were 96-3, Surrey’s Ben Geddes looking to put his disappointing league form behind him as he reached 30 only to be run out. Earlier West Indies opener Kieran Powell had made a breezy 22 from 26 balls. He was one of two victims for off-spinner Chris Jones, whose side are just four points and one place above and have not won a time game yet.
Esher v Cranleigh
Time is rapidly running out for Cranleigh, who remain marooned at the bottom of the table, 40 points adrift. Still without a win, they were sent in at New Road and lost Tommy Ealham to a fourth-ball duck.
Fellow opener Jack Scriven made 38no, against an attack missing Northants-contracted Justin Broad, but once his side reached 80-3 from 20 overs the weather intervened.
Esher remain fifth but are 45 points off the pace, needing to put a sprint on if they are to feature in the title contest.
Reigate Priory v Weybridge
Weybridge suffered another disappointment in their attempt to break out of relegation zone.
Sent in at Park Lane, they lost skipper Nathan Tilley to a 16-ball duck. Fellow opener Stuart Van Der Merwe showed more indications of his talent on the way to 22no and Australia Test opener Will Pucovski was 14no, reaching 59-2 from 19.4 overs when the match was cut short. They head to champions Wimbledon on Saturday for the final time game. Reigate, 10 points outside the relegation zone, will be aiming to do Cranleigh no favours on Saturday.
Best of the rest
It might have all been in vain but Banstead signalled their intent against strugglers Camberley.
Leading Division One by 31 points, the hosts responded to being sent in by lashing 202-3 in the 28.3 overs possible, just in case there was a break in the weather later.
Neil Baker (37) and Ayush Patel (32) at the top of the order scored more than two per ball, Gareth Macaskill (64) and Patrick Rowe (53no) rocketing along too against a Camberley side fighting relegation in their first season after promotion. Mohsin Bashir’s 2-56 from seven overs at least slowed the carnage.
Much seemed to be hanging on the trip of third-placed Malden Wanderers to Valley End, who were two points in front. But it only lasted 16.2 overs, prolific opener Zac Elkin (32no) and Surrey’s Cameron Steel (26no) going along nicely at 73-1.
Just a point adrift of them are Sutton, who were 75-3 in the 29th over of their attempt to complete a double over Spencer at Cheam Road.
How they stand at week 12
Premier Division – Leaders: Sunbury; Drop zone: Weybridge & Cranleigh; Division 1 – promotion zone: Banstead & Valley End; Drop zone: Camberley & Chipstead CW; Division 2 – promotion zone: Oxted/Limpsfld & Bank of Eng; Drop zone: Farnham & Worcester Pk; Division 3 – promotion zone: Addiscombe & Horsley/Send; Drop zone: Chessington & Leatherhead; Division 4 – promotion zone: SinjunGrammarians & Maori Oxshott; Drop zone: Purley & Paulines; Division 5 – promotion zone: Trinity MidWhitgifians & Egham: Drop zone: Thames Ditton & Churt/Hindhead.
