Holmbury St Mary 1st XI 89   v     Newdigate 1st XI 143

 

Newdigate began their Surrey Downs League Div 1 campaign at newly promoted Holmbury and were asked to bat first.

 

After his century two days earlier, Ruky Wickremasinghe started in blistering fashion before falling for 30.  Having lost 2 other early wickets, and debutant Mehran Farooq also falling cheaply, Newdigate were in trouble at 45-4.  John Mayer took the first four wickets, and would finish with 4-45.  Captain Richard Callcut was joined by Charlie Major and they moved the score up to 75 before the out of touch Major fell, followed next ball by Tim Pople.  Callcut was then joined by Sam MacDonald, and they patiently moved the score up to 110 when the captain skied one to be dismissed for 49.  Their was still a lot of work to do to post a defendable total, and MacDonald (25) batted sensibly with the tail to compile 32 more valuable runs, and use up important time, to finish on 143 from 45 overs.  Pienaar finished with 3-35

 

This would still be considered below par, but Newdigate were soon on top as Ben Crook (5-25) and Allan Cooper (2-29) ripped through the Holmbury top order.  At 15-4 and 38-5 the home side looked doomed, but Pienaar (19) and Mayer (17) came together to offer some resistance.  When Wickremasinghe removed both in quick succession, the game looked over, but captain Phil King battled gamely, and the last pair survived 11 overs to frustrate the visitors.  Cooper finally managed to finish the job, dismissing Holmbury for 89 and claiming 38 valuable points

 

Newdigate host Westcott next week, whilst Holmbury travel to fellow promoted side Ockham

Newdigate   234-6        v        Holmbury St Mary 173-8

 

This match in the Surrey Downs League 1st Division pitched 3rd place Holmbury, against Newdigate in 4th.  For the second week in succession, it was Newdigate who were left frustrated and had to settle for a draw.

 

Choosing to bat first, home captain Richard Callcut, and youngster Matt Clarke, started steadily, compiling a partnership of 88 in 18 overs before Clarke fell for 25.  Callcut was then joined in partnerships of 83 with Dan Jones (45), and 53 with Ruky Wickremasinghe (17) as Newdigate amassed a commanding 234-6 from just 43 overs.

 

Only James Crawford (3-44) had figures of note for Holmbury, as Callcut fell shortly before the declaration, for a well made 120.

 

 

In reply, it was Crawford again who stood out for Holmbury with the bat.  His 63 gave the visitors hope of chasing down the total, but noone was able to stay with him as wickets fell regularly at the other end.  When he was the 8th wicket to fall, there were still 10 overs to go and 10 man Holmbury's last pair blocked admirably to secure the draw

 

Newdigate's main wicket taker was Allan Cooper (5-42), but the home side missed their two other regular fast bowlers, and lacked the penetration to secure what would have been a deserved victory.

 

With the top two both winning, Newdigate leapfrog Holmbury into third place, but have lost ground on the leaders.  The visit to 2nd place Westcott next week now becomes a must win game!