Newdigate Cricket Club
Founded 1886
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| Saturday 1st XI Reports |
| 20/06/09 South Nutfield (H) |
Newdigate 172-4 v South Nutfield 171
Early season pace setters South Nutfield had built a commanding 59 point lead at the top of the Surrey Downs League Div 1 table before this visit to Newdigate, who were nestled in the following pack.
However, it was the home team who turned in a polished performance to take home the spoils.
Opting to bat first, visiting captain Chris Walker (45) started well, and he was ably supported by Hill (46). However, Newdigate were always able to keep the run rate in check, and pick up regular wickets, and eventually bowled South Nutfield out for 171 in the 42nd over. Ben Crook (4-46), Ruky Wickremasinghe (3-30), and Sam MacDonald (2-52) shared the wickets around.
This appeared a below par total on a decent pitch and fast outfield, but Newdigate have historically found such run chases difficult.
They would have been boosted by a quickfire 24 from captain Richard Callcut.
15 year old Matt Clarke batted patiently and added 46 with Dan Jones (31), and 63 with Wickremasinghe, before falling for a well made 36. It was then left to the in form Des Harris (17 not out) to see Wickremasinghe through to a half century, and Newdigate to a comfortable victory. Of the bowlers, youngster Donovan impressed and took 3 wickets. |
South Nutfield 1st XI 115 v Newdigate 1st XI 116-2
This was always going to be a crucial game in deciding where the Surrey Downs League title might end up. South Nutfield have topped the table for a large part of the season, whilst Newdigate have been hovering around the top half. Going into the game, these two teams were in second and third place, both needing a win, and Westcott to slip up, to keep the title race alive.
South Nutfield captain Chris Walker won the toss and elected to bat, and couldn't have had a worse start as Allan Cooper's first ball reared up off a length, flew off his gloves, and was well held by Charlie Major in the gully. Jackson (14) and Gilbert stuck in, but were beaten regularly by Cooper and Ben Crook who were getting plenty of help from the wicket. Having played and missed at the first 5 balls of one Crook over, the paceman served up a short and wide one, and Jackson smashed it straight into the hands of point. Hill soon followed for 4, well caught in close by Matt Homewood, and the home side were reeling at 39-3. Gilbert (29) tried to go on the counterattack and moved the score up to 70 before he was snapped up at slip by Major to be the first of 3 wickets for Sam MacDonald. He had been well supported by youngster Bellars, but he fell almost immediately afterwards, when one looped up off his gloves to Mark Rance, for a battling 13. From this point Newdigate were on top, with only Gentles (23) offering any resistance, and the home side subsided to 115 all out from just 33.4 overs. Star of the show for Newdigate was Allan Cooper who finished with 5-42.
Although this was a below par score, the wicket was offering plenty for the bowlers, and Newdigate started badly losing Matt Homewood (1) and Dan Jones (8) to loose shots off Gentles. Captain Richard Callcut was batting patiently, and he was joined by Ruky Wickremasinghe who immediately chanced his arm with a flurry of boundaries. South Nutfield missed a couple of catches which might have made things interesting, but the pair saw Newdigate home in just 18.3 overs. Wickremasinghe finished on 53 not out, and Callcut 34 not out.
With news filtering through that Westcott had drawn, this result threw up all sorts of connotations for the final day. South Nutfield visit Westcott needing a big win to have a chance of clinching the league. Newdigate know that if they can beat relegated Albury, then Westcott must win the other game. Holmbury still have a very slim chance of nicking it if they win well, and none of the top three get a result. It wil be an exciting and anxious day!