Newdigate - 138 for 9 vs. Ockley 1st XI - 121 for 9

 

Although an early season encounter, this promised to be a tough match by two teams battling it out at the bottom on Division 2.

 

Ockley skipper Sweet won the toss and elected to field and with the loss of 3 wickets for only 29 runs, this decision was thought to be vindicated. Only Craig Jones (25) provided any top order response before top-edging one top deep square leg.  In truth, it was Gate's lower order who spared any serious blushes.  Firstly, skipper James Penfold blasted 18 quick runs before number 9, Chris Fox and number 11, Pete Trower came to the crease and put on 35 for the 10th wicket.  Their quick singles and hard run 2s brought Newdigate to a semi-respectable total of 138 from 48 overs. The picks of the Ockley bowling were openers Sam Husband (3-17) and Ben Belfridge (2-33)

 

Newdigate felt that 138 was defendable and started brightly with Jose De Castro taking the early wicket of opener Phil Moir.  Gate carried on bowling tight lines to choke the Ockley chase and only Smith (36) provided any score of substance. Partnership-breaker De Castro proved to be the thorn in the side of Ockley by taking 3 for 14 and was more than able assisted by Ben Brearley (2-39) and the returning Pete Pople (2-20) who both bowled penetrating spells.  With wickets tumbling regularly, the Newdigate total was becoming a tough one and Ockley concentrated on the winning draw total of 121.  In the final over, with batsmen 10 and 11 and the crease, Ockley found the one run they needed to snatch the bonus points. Newdigate's fielding was a Jekyll and Hyde tale with stunning catches from Sam Slade and Craig Jones being matched by 6 dropped catches - a statistic that left Gate wondering what could have been.