It was another warm weekend of Club cricket across the county that saw yet more twists and turns in the respect title race. 50 over cricket returned in Week 14 of the M Zaidi & CO Surrey Cricket Championship, as the Premier Division title race took another twist. On Sunday, Reigate Priory made it eight wins from eight to further their lead at the top of the Women’s Premier division.
Richard Spiller reports on the men’s action, with Reet Bhari summarising the women’s
Sutton v East Molesey
Jayden Broodryk’s superb 119no prised open the title race once again as Sutton won a thrilling encounter by two wickets.
It was East Molesey’s second defeat in three matches, both to teams in the top three, cutting their lead from 35 points to 22, but they remain strong favourites with four rounds remaining.
After their setback against Esher, Moles had righted the ship by decimating Banstead and when they ran up 268-5, after choosing to bat first on a pitch encouraging spinners, it was hard to see them losing. Openers Michael Shean (59) and Sam Burge (30) paved the way for skipper Tom Cullen (61no) and South African Test bat Clyde Fortuin (46) to take 80 off the final 10 overs. Aneesh Jhalla and Max Wallis both took two wickets.
Sutton’s chase was in trouble at 79-4, with the departure of skipper Ryan Hackney for 31, not least in the absence of Surrey’s Josh Blake – looking on from the boundary – and Fabian Cowdrey (wedding). Their fortunes hung on Broodryk, who scored four centuries last year but had yet to register one this summer. He was running out of partners at 164-6 in the 32nd over but found the ideal one in Harry Gardner as they pulled around the situation with a stand worth 90.
Although they had four spinners, Moles must have regretted leaving Anuj Malik – first-choice for much of this season – and Sutton, needing 63 from the final 10 overs accelerated as Broodryk took 14 off the 46th over, delivered by the usually miserly Andy Westphal.
Gardner’s resourceful 34 was finally ended when he was castled by belatedly-used paceman Harry Gardner but Broodryk would not be denied, George Jackson hitting the winning runs with three balls to spare.
East Molesey’s seven points kept them more than a win ahead of the rest but Sutton – 27 points behind, five behind Esher – lurk menacingly.
Spencer v Guildford
More than two months since last tasting victory, Guildford chalked up a win to give themselves a faint hope of survival.
They remain 32 points adrift of the rest but the return to their favourite format – having won twice and nearly beaten East Molesey early on – had a restorative effect, while also ringing more alarm bells for Spencer in their own fight for survival.
Fred McMillan’s 132, having been pushed up to open, was the cornerstone of their 284-9 after being sent in, the vice-captain – and wicketkeeper in the absence of long-term injury victims Tom Geffen and Ben Garrett – hitting 18 fours and a six.
He was joined in a crucial partnership worth 124 for the fifth wicket with Will Hamilton (43), Jackson Saggers taking 3-61 while Gus Grant’s 2-52 saw him reach 25 wickets for the ninth time, including the last five seasons.
Another Spencer stalwart, Hugo Darby, achieved his own landmark in passing 500 runs for the fourth time in five seasons on the way to 25. But he was one of five victims for Guildford skipper Olly Birts, who claimed 5/34 in 9.3 overs, while rarely-used off-spinner Sathya Chandrasekharan’s 3-48 proved crucial.
It was a victory so long in coming that England have had a new captain and coach and Britain a change of Prime Minister since the last one. Spencer’s five points at least kept them above Banstead, occupying eighth place.
Normandy v Esher
Victory by 89 runs ensured Esher kept the pressure on leaders East Molesey, inflicting Normandy’s first defeat since late June.
Alex Chambers cracked 93 from 92, including 11 fours and two sixes, to ensure the visitors made the most of batting first, having entered at 39-2. He was aided by Surrey’s Nikhil Gorantla (40), Ollie Hunt (45) and Seb Allison (32) in taking Esher to 272 all out in the final over, Ollie Gibson and Neil Prowse both finishing with three wickets.
Despite skipper Chris Jones making 50 at the top of the reply, Normandy seldom threatened to make a convincing chase, Prowse making 57 in dominating a 10th wicket stand of 61 with Viggy Venkateswaran (9no) before they were all out for 183 to lose by 89 runs. Joe Lavender took 3-46.
It left Esher 22 points off the summit, Normandy’s five seeing them remain fifth.
Banstead v Wimbledon
They might be outgoing champions but Wimbledon are still formidable chasers, as they showed in a win by two wickets at Banstead.
Ahmed Khan’s 88 – adding 119 for the fourth wicket with Surrey youngster Alex Dodson (49) – dominated the home side’s 291-8 after taking first use, a total which might have been greater but for Ben Twine’s 3-49 from 10.
A second wicket alliance worth 116 between Adam Fox and Jack Boyle (52) was only broken when the former was run out for 85.
But Wimbledon were taken over the line with an over to spare by Ollie Pike, whose 26no from 14 balls ensured his side achieved their highest ever Championship chase in this format.
Victory also solidified their hold on a top four place – they are 42 points off the summit – while although Banstead’s seven points could not take them out of the drop zone they are just one behind Spencer.
Reigate Priory v Ashtead
A first win in four weeks eased Ashtead’s relegation worries but ensured Reigate remain engaged in the fight to stay up as they went down by just seven runs.
Priory skipper George Ealham might be forgiven for feeling he was fighting a lone battle. His 3-43, which included bowling former England opener Mark Stoneman for 40, was principally responsible for restricting Ashtead to 261-9 after he had sent them in, Kiwi Lachie Stackpole hitting 63 (and later adding 3-45) but a late 29no from Sam Homes being required after his side had slid to 208-8.
Richie Oliver’s 58 dominated an opening stand of 79 but after that Priory’s middle-order let them down, sinking to 178-7. Ealham was still there, though, finding a staunch partner in Ben Ware (51) which threatened to turn around the match.
There were still 10 needed off four balls when Ealham departed to Sam Hunt, Ashtead hanging on to win by seven runs. That takes them up to sixth, Priory dropping a place.
Best of the rest
Centuries from Rajan Soni and Aaryan Pillai drove Sunbury to a victory which keeps them 32 points ahead of the pack in Division One.
They beat Camberley by 50 runs, former skipper Soni (114) and Pillai (105) putting on 154 for the second wicket and Ollie Pascall’s 62 stretching the home side’s total to 348-7. Aryan Mann (132) and Todd Hutcheson (59) ensured a respectable reply which reached 298 all out.
Malden Wanderers continue to head the chasers courtesy of an 89-run success at Valley End.
Nathan Tilley’s second century in eight days kept alive Horsley & Send’s faint hopes of escaping from relegation in Division Two. Handicapped by the deduction of 100 points over a registration issue, they are still 60 points off safety but followed a seven wicket win at Cranleigh with an eight-wicket success against Maori Oxshott. Responding to 257 all out, H&S were given a platform of 114 by Jack Cunningham (69) and Tilley, who went on to finish 128no, his fourth century of the season to cruise in with 7.3 overs in hand.
Tables – Premier Division (14/18)
1 East Molesey 246; 2 Esher 224; 3 Sutton 219; 4 Wimbledon 204; 5 Normandy 158; 6 Ashtead 151; 7 Reigate Priory 142; 8 Spencer 132; 9 Banstead 131; 10 Guildford 99.
Division 1
1 Sunbury 241; 2 Malden Wdrs 209; 3 Dulwich 203; 4 Weybridge 200; 5 Rutlishians 184; 6 Valley End 176; 7 Camberley 160; 8 Walton 143; 9 Hamptonians 129;10 Beddington 92.
Sunday extra
Sutton’s hopes of a league and cup double were dashed as they went down by five runs in the ECB National Club Championship quarter-final.
Fresh from Saturday’s exciting win over East Molesey, their long trip to Sawston & Babraham looked promising when the Cambridgeshire side were restricted to 227-8 from 40 overs, built around Daniel Andrew (50) and Lee Thomason (58). George Jackson took 3-58.
Jayden Broodryk’s 51 from 39 gave the reply momentum, Sutton looking favourites to reach the semi-final at 214-6 in the 38th over. But skipper Ryan Hackney (70) was run out by a direct hit from former Derbyshire and Leicestershire all-rounder Wayne White and the tail failed to support Jay Evemy (33no) as Sutton crumbled to 222 all out in the final over.
East Molesey’s second team added another trophy to the club’s burgeoning collection when they snapped up the Subba Row Plate T20 at Malden Wanderers on Sunday.
They only inched past Chobham in the semi-final, winning by one run, but then took on Croydon II, who had beaten Epsom II by 105 runs. This time experienced duo Nick Stevens (60) and Cole Campbell (51) ensured Moles made 195-5, enough to win by 48 runs.
Now attention turns to the Conference Cup with Banstead preparing to host Crouch End on Sunday in the quarter-final as they compete for a trip to East Molesey in the last four. In the other half of the draw, Waltham play Ickenham with the winners heading to Hornchurch.
Reet Bhari takes us through an interesting Sunday of Women’s Premier Division cricket, as Reigate Priory made it eight successive victories
Richmond CC vs Streatham & Marlborough CC
Richmond CC secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over Streatham & Marlborough CC at Newman Cricket Ground. Streatham were bowled out for 80 in 29.1 overs, with E Wood (17), L Morrin (15) and C Hanslal (12) making the main contributions with the batting. Richmond’s bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout, with I Dhaliwal taking an excellent 5/10 from seven overs, while B Menezes claimed two wickets.
Richmond made light work of the chase, reaching 84-2 in just 9.3 overs. I Dhaliwal continued her impressive afternoon with an unbeaten 43 from 25 balls, including seven fours, while A Agarwal added a quick 22 from 20 balls. Richmond’s all-round performance saw them comfortably over the line and secure all 20 points.
Shepperton CC vs Sutton CC
Shepperton CC produced a dominant performance to defeat Sutton CC by 107 runs. After being put into bat, Shepperton posted an impressive 254-2 from their 35 overs, with Ella Clinton leading the way with an unbeaten 125 from 102 balls. Emma Gillespie provided excellent support with 85 from 98 balls as the pair put on 219 for the first wicket.
Sutton struggled to build momentum in reply and were bowled out for 147 in 29.5 overs. Aashny Rajnikanth top-scored with 61 from 80 balls, while Shreyasi Remella added 16. Shepperton’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Thea Loveridge taking two and Laura Cardoso, Eimear Sutton, Emma Gillespie, Holly Kopicki and Maria Silcock each claiming one. Shepperton’s commanding win earned them all 20 points.
Weybridge CC vs Reigate Priory CC
Reigate Priory CC secured a thrilling one-wicket victory over Weybridge CC in a closely fought contest at Weybridge Cricket Ground. Weybridge posted 189-8 from their 35 overs after choosing to bat first, with Daisy Feast anchoring the innings with an excellent 85 from 82 balls. E Townsend also contributed 41 from 41 balls, helping Weybridge set Reigate a competitive target.
Reigate’s chase got off to a strong start, with S Pearce smashing 70 from just 47 balls, including 12 fours, while M McLoughlin added 35. However, regular wickets kept the game finely balanced, with Reigate eventually reaching 175-9. L Dexter remained unbeaten on 15 to guide Reigate to 190-9 in 31.3 overs and seal the narrow victory. E Duncan and E Townsend both took three wickets, while D Feast claimed two for Weybridge.
Best of the Rest
Across the Women’s divisions, there were plenty of strong performances as teams continued to battle for position in the league tables.
In Division One, Spencer CC strengthened their position at the top with a six-wicket victory over Wimbledon, chasing down 214 with 2.4 overs to spare. Woodmansterne also secured a narrow one-wicket win over Chertsey, while Ashtead comfortably defeated Dulwich by nine wickets.
In Division Two East, league leaders Banstead continued their strong form with a four-wicket victory over Oxted and Limpsfield. Purley also impressed, beating Reigate Priory by 48 runs, while Horley recorded the biggest win of the division with a 100-run victory over Streatham & Marlborough.
In Division Two West, Guildford maintained their place at the top with an eight-wicket win over Valley End. Malden Wanderers also picked up a convincing 58-run victory against Sunbury, while Esher defeated Godalming by eight wickets.
