Newdigate 1st XI  243-9  vs East Horsley 1st XI 213-9

 

League leaders East Horsley visited second placed Newdigate in this Surrey Downs League clash and it turned into a match for the connoisseuer with many twists and turns for the supporters to enjoy.

 

East Horsley won the toss and must have rued that decision as Richard Callcut (80) and Bill Turner (28) put on 110 before Callcut was the first of the six victims claimed by the Drake father and son combination. He is in fine form at the moment and included three sixes in his innings. However, after twenty overs the run rate was under four an over  and when four wickets fell for just 18 runs the decision to bowl first now looked fully justified. The middle order of Charlie Major (35), Mark Rance (25) and Des Harris (33) put on a quick fire 100 runs in the last ten overs which allowed Newdigate to declare on 243-9 after 48 overs.

 

Ben Crook (4-36 from 15 overs) bowled quick and straight and constantly caused problems for the Horsley batsmen who were in trouble on 52-4 but a brilliantly hit 86 from J.Launder who struck the ball beautifully to all corners of the ground put Horsley into a winning position. He hit one of Bill Turner's deliveries high into the carpark and actually struck the bowlers' own car a sickening blow. Allan Cooper who had bowled manfully (4-71 from 15 overs) at a good pace then bowled a slow ball out the back of his hand. Launder swung at it and it hit the leading edge and ballooned up to Turner who took a simple catch. The game then turned as two further wickets fell as Horsley strained to pass 213 and get the winning draw. Then the number ten batsman hit Callcut for ten in two balls and with tension running high he missed the next ball and was cleaned bowled leaving the score on 210-9 with just two balls left. Callcut bowled straight and opening bowler Satya survived and Newdigate achieved the winning draw.

 

An excellent match played in beautiful weather between two good, competitive and sporting teams.