It was week seven of the M Zaidi Surrey Cricket Championship. Richard Spiller reviews the men’s Premier Division action and the other news around the county, while Reet Bhari summarises an intriguing weekend of women’s cricket
East Molesey v Reigate Priory
Frontrunners East Molesey extended their lead to 26 points with a nervy eight-run victory over Reigate Priory.
Defending a modest 179 all out, Moles were indebted to spearhead Andy Westphal for two early breakthroughs on his way to claiming 4-41, opener Luke Haughton making 37 but Priory in big trouble at 125-7. William Fenwick (28) kept them in the match, despite being 151-9, and dominated a last wicket partnership with Michael Munday – who scored a single from his 29 balls faced – to give the visitors hope of victory. But Toby Porter took the catch off brother Harry – they had two wickets apiece – to remove Fenwick, giving East Molesey their sixth win in seven weeks.
Runs had been rationed all day, the home side grateful to Michael Shean’s 42 early on and then skipper Tom Cullen making an unbeaten 54 which elevated his side to a defendable total, despite former Somerset leg-spinner Munday’s 6-34 from 13 overs.
It was Priory’s third defeat and leaves them fifth, already a hefty 58 points off the pace.
Ashtead v Wimbledon
Depleted Ashtead fancied their chances of a surprise victory over Wimbledon until the champions showed the depth of their batting.
Having taken the maximum 66 overs to reach 263-8 – after choosing to bat first – the hosts looked strong favourites to win when the reply sank to 102-6 in the 24th over, left-arm spinner Tom Homes (4-62) the main threat.
But Kaif Ramzan (54) was joined by KIt Derrick (62no) in a seventh wicket partnership of 110 which all but ensured safety, Wimbledon seeing out the 57 overs back at 235-7 to secure a winning draw worth 12 points.
Conor Young’s 72 had been the mainstay of Ashtead’s innings earlier, a line-up lacking Surrey’s Adam Thomas, Kiwi import Lachie Stackpole (broken finger) and Mark Stoneman (coaching at Somerset). New wicketkeeper Joe Willis made 33 on his arrival from Horsham while Daniel Geddes contributed 42 and Ben Sidwell’s 36no at the end added ballast. The nine points gained could not prevent them dropping down to ninth, their opponents still second.
Esher v Spencer
A blistering 123 from Laurie Evans was not enough to earn Esher victory in a high-scoring clash at New Road.
The Surrey white ball specialist lashed nine fours and eight sixes in his 78-ball charge as the hosts chased 343.
Having been inserted, Spencer – having taken 14 off the first over – used their maximum allocation of 66 overs, being dismissed from the final ball after opener Hugo Darby’s 130 was augmented by Jamal Todd (55) and Henry Stothard (47). David Brent’s 4-88 cashed in on a late slide from 320-5.
Receiving just 54 overs back, Esher were given a prompt start by Travis Norris (55) and Ollie Hunt (23) putting on 84 before being separated in the 21st over.
At 128-3 in the 31st it seemed they would get nowhere near but Evans and Brent (64no) altered perceptions with a fourth wicket alliance worth 168 in 22 overs. Esher’s faint hopes of victory had gone when Evans departed in the penultimate over but they took 14 points for the winning draw to remain third, Spencer’s seven ensuring they stay in fourth spot.
Guildford v Banstead
A first win of the season blasted Banstead out of the drop zone, making short work of Guildford to win by eight wickets.
The hosts were despatched for just 105 in 44 overs, having elected to bat, Victoria state player Blake Macdonald’s 33 the main resistance with Will Hamilton’s dogged 19 next best. Left-arm spinner Paul Byrne’s 4-19 from 15 overs cast a web from which the home batsmen could not escape, supported by Harri Aravinthan (2-41) and Ahmed Khan (2-11).
Ayush Patel’s 62 from just 36 balls rushed Banstead towards a victory achieved in 17.2 overs, opening partner Rafay Ahmed (30no) the junior partner in putting on 88. That success ensured that Banstead – third last year – rose two places to seventh while Guildford’s fourth defeat of the season saw them sink to eighth as they struggle to re-establish themselves in the top division.
Sutton v Normandy
Cameron Tanner’s 83 could not prevent Sutton failing to complete a run chase for the second time in eight days.
Having fallen just short at Banstead in the previous round, they set out to overhaul the 247-9 bottom side Normandy had compiled from their maximum 66 overs after being sent in.
While Tanner – who also kept wicket in the absence of Surrey’s Josh Blake – was adding 139 with Rehan Ratnasabapathy (59) for the second wicket, Sutton looked favourites but he fell to MI London leg-spinner Nathan Sowter in the 40th over with 100 still required. Ratnasabapathy departed in the following over and with Sowter taking 3-80 from 17 overs, the hosts had to make do with a winning draw at 232-7 from their 54 back. Skipper Ryan Hackney’s 24 down the order was next highest score.
Normandy had been indebted to Sowter’s 60 earlier in the day, putting on 99 for the fifth wicket with Neal Prowse (51). Off-spinner Harry Gardner confirmed his recovery from a stress fracture of the back by claiming 6-68 from 21 overs bowled in the heat.
Sutton’s 13 points sees them sixth, Normandy’s eight meaning they are still confined to the basement.
Best of the rest
George O’Connor’s 6-62 led Sunbury to a fifth win of the season, opening up a 25-point lead at the top of Division One.
The seamer’s action-packed 11 overs saw him decimate the Dulwich top-order, reducing them to 25-4 after they had dismissed the visitors for 197 in the battle of the two relegated sides.
Rajan Soni (33), Northants-contracted Stuart Van Der Merwe (59) and Ollie Pascal (42) had set the foundations for a formidable total after being sent in only for the rest to collapse, Will O’Donnell and Lucas Perry claiming three wickets each.
That total looked much better once O’Connor had set to work, wicketkeeper Ollie Steele (31) offering some resistance before Kevin Smith (3-17) helped his new ball partner finish off the hosts for 105 to win by 92 runs.
Malden Wanderers took over as chief challengers through a 107-run demolition of Camberley. It required a recovery from 37-3 thanks to Zac Elkin (43), Alastair Curran (69) and Matthew Ogden (73) which lifted them to 259 all out.
Skipper Daniel Walker made 58 at the top of the reply but there was little else to hold up Wanderers, Ralph Day and Jack Martin taking three wickets apiece in finishing them off for 152.
Valley End’s eight-wicket win over Walton put them into third.
Sunday extra
Centuries from Tim Lloyd and Jack Boyle ensured Wimbledon – alongside Sutton – reached the business end of the ECB National Club Championship, both beating fellow Championship clubs.
Encouraged by their easy win at Guildford a day earlier, Banstead hoped to make it a weekend double on their trip to Church Road in the group 16 final. They reached 258-9 from 40 overs, led by Australian Patrick Rowe (59). Billy Sewell took 3-36.
Alex Barrett made 32 out of the first 42 in the reply but opening partner Lloyd’s solid 107no proved the ideal support to prolific Kiwi Boyle. He hit nine fours and nine sixes in a cavalier 116no from 57 which ensured the target was overhauled in just 26.5 overs.
It was a much tighter struggle in the group 15 final at Cheam Road, where Sutton beat Reigate Priory by three wickets with eight balls in hand.
Seth McDowall (62) and Joe Kelly (55) were instrumental in the visitors – who included former Glamorgan and Surrey all-rounder Gary Butcher, now their coach – making 226-8. Run chases have proved tricky for Sutton lately but Ben Rutherford’s 76 from 60 hurried them along, Rehan Ratnasabapathy (44no) and Max Wallis’s 35 from 21 ensuring they made it over the line this time.
It proved the end of the line for East Molesey, who went down by five wickets at Shepherds Bush in group 11 final. South African Test bat Clyde Fortuin’s 103 from 89 balls led Moles to 246-8, the Middlesex side overtaking it with nine balls in hand to win by five wickets. Moles suffered a blow when kingpin seamer Andy Westphal had to stop bowling after 3.5 overs through an ankle problem.
Sutton’s reward for progressing to the national stages sends them on a voyage to Peterborough Town on July 12 while Wimbledon host Sawston & Babraham of the East Anglian Premier League Premier Division seven days later as their Church Road ground is being used for the tennis over the road.
Attention turns this Sunday to the Conference Cup, where teams compete for the Bertie Joel Trophy. Matches in the last 16 involving Championship clubs are: Billericay v Banstead; Action v Old Hamptonians; Sunbury v Crouch End; East Molesey v Loughton and Walton v Ickenham. Games start 1pm with 45 overs per side.
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE REPORTS, PLUS LEAGUE ROUND-UP
Shepperton CC v Reigate Priory CC
Reigate Priory continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 27-run victory away at Shepperton after posting 197-5 from their 35 overs.
Esmae Vos once again provided the backbone of the innings, carrying her bat for an excellent unbeaten 77, while Sara Kodilkar added 36 and September Pearce accelerated the scoring with a fluent 51 from just 40 balls. Emma Gillespie impressed with the ball for Shepperton, finishing with 2-27, while Thea Loveridge claimed two wickets of her own.
In reply, Shepperton gave the league leaders a real test. Eloise Phillips anchored the chase with an unbeaten 67, sharing an opening partnership of 82 with Emma Gillespie, who made 46. With the hosts still in contention heading into the final overs, Reigate’s bowlers held their nerve, led by September Pearce’s crucial spell of 2-29, as Shepperton closed on 170-5. The victory keeps Reigate top of the table, while Shepperton can take plenty of encouragement from a competitive display against the early pacesetters.
Streatham & Marlborough CC v Weybridge CC
Weybridge recorded their second win of the season in dramatic fashion, edging out Streatham & Marlborough by just three runs in one of the closest matches of the campaign so far. Batting first, Weybridge reached 192-8 thanks largely to a superb innings from Daisy Feast, who struck 109 from 101 balls and accounted for more than half of her side’s total. Her knock proved invaluable after regular wickets had threatened to derail the innings, while C Hanslal was the standout performer with the ball for Streatham, taking 4-34.
The chase was built around an outstanding 84 from Hanslal, supported by 33 from I Marin-Curtoud, as Streatham looked favourites for long periods. However, Weybridge produced a composed fielding performance under pressure, with five run-outs proving decisive as the hosts finished on 189-9, falling agonisingly short of their target
Sutton CC v Richmond CC
Sutton maintained their strong start to the season with a four-wicket victory over Richmond after successfully chasing 184. Richmond’s innings looked in danger of falling away when they slipped to 111-7, but Emily Barker transformed the contest with a superb 60 from just 34 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes to lift her side to 183-9. Sutton’s bowlers had earlier controlled much of the innings, with captain Aarthi Karunakaran leading the way with excellent figures of 3-17.
The chase began poorly for Sutton as they lost two early wickets, but Rebecca Denman and Aashny Rajnikanth rebuilt superbly. Denman struck an attacking 56 from 45 balls, while Rajnikanth added a composed 56, sharing a partnership that swung the game firmly in Sutton’s favour. Despite a few late wickets, Sneha Mohan and Hiran Raghavan saw Sutton home at 184-6 with more than four overs to spare.
The result keeps Sutton firmly in the hunt near the top of the table as they continue to chase leaders Reigate Priory.
Best of the Rest
Across the wider Women’s Championship, several sides continue to shape the early-season picture, with new leaders emerging and dominant performances across the divisions.
In Division One, Spencer have moved to the top of the table after a strong win over Chertsey, overtaking Woodmansterne, who slip to second aer leading the standings last week.
Wimbledon remain in the chasing pack as the division begins to tighten at the top. In Division Two East, Banstead remain the standout side with a perfect four wins from four, sittng clear on 80 points. Reigate Priory 2nd XI stay in touch after three victories, while Purley hold third place. Horley continnue to collect valuable bonus points, keeping themselves competitve despite mixed results, while Oxted & Limpsfield and Streatham & Marlborough 2nd XI round out the table.
In Division Two West, Guildford continue to set the pace after last week’s impressive chase against Valley End, while Esher remain among the early leaders following a concession from Godalming.
In Division Three Central, Southwark Park’s still lead the way with 86 points, but Epsom are right behind them on 85, ensuring the race for top spot remains finely balanced.
Over in Division Three North, East Molesey strengthened their position at the summit with a commanding 124-run victory over Thames Dion, extending their perfect start and maintaining a firm grip on first place.
Finally, in Division Three South, Dorking delivered one of the most dominant performances of the week, defeating Leatherhead by 202 runs after posting 235-3 and bowling their opponents out for 33. The emphatic win keeps Dorking at the top of the table as they continue to set the standard in the division.
Chessington in fire appeal
A devastating fire has destroyed the pavilion at Chessington’s Sir Francis Barker Ground.
It occurred last Monday, the blaze reportedly started in a neighbouring property, and despite the efforts of fire services, the mainly wooden building – and its contents, which included much history – could not be saved.
A statement from the club, a social hub in the area, expressed relief that no one had been killed or injured in the fire but added that the “the loss of our clubhouse is heartbreaking”, while expressing gratitude for the support which has already poured in.
“We have been overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and support shown by so many people.”
A “Rebuild Our Clubhouse” appeal has been set up to help Chessington recover and anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/chessingtoncc.
Banfield’s final innings
There were few boundary edges around which John Banfield was a stranger.
Whether alone or among a gaggle of friends, he watched many thousands of hours of club and youth cricket around the county, while also a common sight at the Kia Oval and Lord’s, frequently to be found chatting with the groundstaff at the former.
Banfield died last week aged 98 and if he wasn’t Surrey’s oldest member he must have been mighty close. Typically, he had been watching the Wimbledon v Guildford match just three days before he died – alongside his son Simon – and was as keen as ever to know who was who and what was going on around the county.
A pupil at Alleyn School – a few years ahead of Micky Stewart – he played some county colts matches during the Second World War. Watching at Cheam one day in the 1990s, he recalled playing there in days just after the D-Day landings in 1944, struck by the constant volume of trains rushing past the ground packed with stretchers of troops who had been injured in battle. He also recalled that Cheam had been popular during that time for its ability to gain regular stocks of beer – in short supply, like many other things in WW2 – which ensured they were never short of players for Sunday matches.
A large network of fellow cricket and football – especially non-league – enthusiasts ensured Banfieldl was never short of a story to tell. John’s father Arthur had played one first-class match for Essex – against Surrey at Leyton in 1921, taking two wickets.
He was intensely proud of the achievements of his children and grandchildren, in a typically reserved English manner, and his many friends will miss him immensely.
