26/04/2009 - Capel (A)

Newdigate 173 all out vs. Capel 164 for 6 in 40 overs.

Newdigate got off the mark for 2009 with a nine run win against Capel. After wining the toss and electing to bat first Newdigate lost Skipper Ruky Wickremasinghe and Matt Jee early on trapped LBW by Drage who finished with superb figures of 6-0-19-4. Mark Rance and Des Harris then steadied the ship for Newdigate with Rance going on to bring up his first fifty for the season. Once Harris (28) was out, Rance (64*) and Chris Douse (15) took Newdigate to a defendable score of 173 all out in 39 overs.

In reply Capel kept the runs coming steadily even with some accurate bowling by Douse and Sam MacDonald. The breakthrough came when MacDonald had Sponder caught behind by Paul Bettesworth. Capel’s skippe,r Brad Pearce, joined opener Dave Jaques and kept them in the hunt with some big shots. Ben Crook (8-2-20-3) returned for his second spell and bowled exceptionally taking three middle order wickets to halter Capel's run chase. With the big hitting Tim Mitchell at the crease and needing 13 to win off the last over bowled by young Douse, he held his nerve to give away only 4 runs and handed Newdigate a deserved win.

Newdigate Sunday take on Wraysbury CC from Berkshire next week in the nPower Village Knockout Cup and will look to turn out a winning performance as former England & Surrey player Alec Stewart will be present with the sponsors to provide his Master Class in Cricket.