Saturday 1st XI Reports

19/06/2010 - Westcott (h)

21/08//2010 - Westcott (h)

Westcott 186-4              Newdigate 265-5

Holders Westcott knew going into this game that if they could avoid defeat to second place Newdigate, then they would have all but clinched the Surrey Downs League Division 1 title for the second consecutive year. With this in mind, the home captain had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat first.

Newdigate started positively, before losing captain Richard Callcut for 22.  Youngster Matt Clarke (48), and Dan Jones (34), then consolidated to set up the platform for Salman Hussain to smash a blistering 88 not out, his highest score of the season.  With support from Ruky Wickremasinghe (25) and Jason Wharam (12 not out from 2 balls!) the visitors were able to declare on 265-5 from just 42 overs.

On another day, this might have been a tempting proposition for the powerful Westcott batting lineup, but knowing they couldn't risk being bowled out, they made the preservation of wickets their number one priority.  James Musgrave (36) and Tom Shrives (31) gave valiant support to Mike Shaw, who was able to take advantage of attacking fields, and the use of eight different bowlers, to pick off an unbeaten 90, but Westcott's total was never likely to threaten the visitors target, whilst Newdigate's attack never looked like taking the required wickets.

The result ends Newdigate's title ambitions, but gives South Nutfield a mathematical chance of catching the leaders.