Rain wrecked the penultimate round of the M Zaidi & Co Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division campaign, despite strenuous efforts, but there were some important results lower down, as Richard Spiller outlines…
It’s as you were at the top of the M Zaidi & Co Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division, with three clubs going into the final round of matches capable of winning the title.
East Molesey remain eight points in front of Esher, with Sutton another five behind, while at the bottom, Spencer must win their last match and hope that Banstead slip up.
It might have been all over had Moles not seen their pursuit of a twice DLS-adjusted target of 128 from 20 overs terminated by yet another heavy shower. Covering the entire square at Graburn Way on Friday night paid dividends when they were able to start against Spencer – also desperate to record a victory – in a 33-overs match.
The Wandsworth-based side made a good fist of batting first, Hugo Darby showing what they will miss when he moves to Australia this winter by cracking 58 from 61, with Will De Cani (25), Roan Kennedy (20) and wicketkeeper Archie Macpherson (25no) extending the total to 166-9. It might have been a few more, but for left-arm spinner Michael Shean’s 3-34.
Knowing rain could return any time, East Molesey set off quickly, losing Shean (8) and Luka Woods (11) before a shower hit at 35-2 in the fifth over. A revised target of 155 from 28 was soon reduced further to 128 from 20 by more rain, Jack Scriven (12) caught behind off Gus Grant. With all other Premier matches off, the home side knew victory would tie up the title.
They were in cruise mode at 58-3 from 8.1, with South African Clyde Fortuin on 18no from just 12 balls when heavy rain arrived, leaving the umpires no alternative but to abandon the match.
It also leaves Moles – who once headed the title chase by 55 points – with an awkward final week as they must head to outgoing champions Wimbledon, who have been in fine form in the final weeks of the season.
In a match reduced to 23 overs at Esher, they were storming along at 191-4 from 20, Tim Lloyd’s 42 from 18 getting them off to a ferocious start. The visitors were 70-4 from just 5.2 overs, former South Africa Test wicketkeeper Dane Vilas smashing 72no from 47 0 – including six fours and three sixes – while Kit Derrick’s 47no from 43 was the ideal foil.
But rain halted the contest, having prevented Sutton even starting at home to Reigate Priory, the two chasers having (theoretically) easier matches on Saturday as Esher head to already-relegated Guildford while Sutton take on Spencer.
The weather ensured that both Normandy – who were due to host Banstead – and Priory are mathematically safe from the drop. Third last year, Banstead host Ashtead, whose match against Guildford was the first to be called off.
Both promotion and relegation issues took a twist in Division One thanks to a brace of finishes.
With the battle between Malden Wanderers and Dulwich – second and third respectively – falling to the weather despite getting into the second innings of the match, Old Rutlishians stole a march with a three-wicket victory at Walton. What started as a 30-over contest saw the hosts reach a formidable 219-7 thanks to Dan Roberts (65) and Chris Cole (56).
Ruts had their target reduced to 187 from 24, owing Usman Khan’s 64 from 39 for getting there by three wickets with nine balls in hand. That put his side level on points with Wanderers in second. Champions Sunbury – abandoned without a ball bowled at relegated Beddington – now have a hand in who goes up with them given they host Wanderers while Rutlishians will be home to Old Hamptonians. Should both fail, Dulwich will hope to take advantage should they have the better of Weybridge.
The trip to Merton is also vital for Hamptonians, who gave themselves a chance of staying up with a four-wicket victory over Valley End, whose 162-9 from 37 was constructed around Arya Khedekar (44) and Josh Dodd (63). OHs found themselves chasing 113 from 21, scrambling over the line with two balls in hand thanks to Anuj Srivastav making 49no for a win by four wickets.
Hamptonians also need both Camberley – one point ahead – and Camberley (two in front) to slip up.
Tables – Premier Division (17/18)
1 East Molesey 280; 2 Esher 272; 3 Sutton 267; 4 Wimbledon 252; 5 Ashtead 185; 6 Reigate Priory 174; 7 Normandy 173; 8 Banstead 163; 9 Spencer 149; 10 Guildford 117 (R).
Division 1
1 Sunbury 289 (C); 2 Malden Wdrs 244; 3 Rutlishians 244; 4 Dulwich 236; 5 Weybridge 219; 6 Valley End 203; 7 Walton 175; 8 Camberley 174; 9 Hamptonians 173;10 Beddington 125 (R).
Best of the rest
When it comes to spectacular runs of success, Chobham take a lot of beating. They didn’t make it on to the field on Saturday, but the points gained from a cancelled trip to Camberley were enough to secure their sixth promotion in as many seasons, taking them from Division Three in the old Fuller’s League to a guaranteed top two spot in Division Four West of the new set-up. It has been achieved with a team of largely homegrown players from the club’s colts section.
The final challenge for this campaign will be attempting to overtake leaders Merton Mavericks – 13 points in front – before another winter of plotting to go onwards and upwards.
