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| 05/06/2010 - South Nutfield (a) |
South Nutfield 214-9 Newdigate 215-9 Newdigate travelled to table toppers South Nutfield on a scorching hot day, and came away with the points in a nail biting finish Opting to bat first, the home side were immediately in trouble as they were reduced to 18-2 then 80-6. Tight bowling from Allan Cooper (3-52) and Jason Wharam (2-33), kept the pressure on, but youngster Jack Bellars batted patiently and rebuilt the South Nutfield innings. He received valuable support down the order from the Gentles brothers, Jason (34) and David (20). When Bellars was finally dismissed for a well made 81 by Ben Crook (2-51), skipper Chris Walker declared on 214-9 from 47 overs. In reply, Newdigate began positively with captain Richard Callcut (38) and Matt Clarke (21) compiling a partnership of 58 in good time. After a flurry of wickets reduced the visitors to 84 for 3, fireworks from Jason Wharam saw him make a quick fire 52 scored entirely in boundaries (7x4s and 4x6s). At 151-3 things were going well, but the loss of Wharam prompted another collapse and the scoreline quickly read 153-7. Dan Jones observed all this from the other end, making a patient 29. Support finally came from Paul Bettesworth (20) with his first runs of the season. Both fell with 20 runs still needed, and every run was greeted with a cheer from the boundary as last pair Cooper (27 not out) and Crook (4 not out) calmly picked off the runs required. The defeat leaves South Nutfield still top, but with their advantage seriously dented as the following pack, including Newdigate, close the gap |
07/08//2010 - South Nutfield (h)
Newdigate 216-7 South Nutfield 212-8
With Newdigate second in the league, and South Nutfield fourth, this was always likely to be a keenly fought battle, and that is how it turned out.
Having been asked to bat first, Newdigate captain Richard Callcut was granted a life before he had scored as a slip chance went down, and he built a solid partnership with young Matt Clarke. Opening bowlers Matt Lewis and Jason Gentles bowled accurately on a wicket affected by overnight rain, but couldn't get a breakthrough. They did, however, stifle the runs and it was the 31st over when the partnership was finally broken on 132 as Clarke fell having made yet another 50. Callcut soon followed for 81. Dan Jones (23) and Ruky Wickremasinghe (33) looked to push the score on, but the total of 215-7 was 20 or 30 less than the home side would have liked. Bailey (3-24) was the pick of the visiting bowlers
In reply, South Nutfield lost an early wicket, but were moving along nicely until youngster Jack Bellars was well snapped up in the gully by Salman Hussain. This bought Taylor to the wicket, and along with opener Gilbert, the visitors picked up runs easily, and looked to be heading towards a comfortable victory
So often a moment of brilliance can turn a game, and this was provided by Hiten Patel who dived full length at point to grab a full blooded square cut inches from the ground and dismiss Gilbert for a well made 51. This put the pressure on Taylor , and he soon fell for 47 to another fine catch by Hussain.
Further excellent catches followed from Des Harris, Jason Wharam, and skipper Callcut, and only Will Jackson (37) made a significant contribution as South Nutfield faltered.
With 20 required from the final over, and the batting side 8 down, most would have been resigned to a draw, but Matt Lewis had other ideas. Calling for his revolutionary “Mongoose” bat, he smashed the first two balls from Ben Crook for a 6 and a 4. Suddenly a win looked possible, however a scrambled bye took him off strike, and he only got back on with 6 required from the final ball. He couldn't get the required elevation, and had to settle for a single to the mid wicket boundary.
The resulting draw did little to help either team, but no one could deny the drama that had unfolded in a great match. With leaders Westcott winning, time is running out for the following pack to close the gap.