Kingston Methodists 271-5 vs. Newdigate 3rd XI 202-7

 

Having had their away match cancelled Newdigate managed to book the ground at Reigate Heath and entertained Kingston Methodists. This development side consisted of three senior players and the rest are juniors and very soon the Newdigate bowlers learnt what it is like to play in so called 'open cricket'.

Driver and Cutts got off to a blistering start in putting on a quick fire 92 opening partnership before Matt Dilger (2-45) snared both batsmen .... Driver being caught by a spectacular, diving left handed catch by John Callcut in the covers. Pete Heppenstall bowled a tight spell but you knew that trouble was brewing when two batsmen came in with the name of Hayden. D.Hayden struck the ball powerfully in compiling 60 runs but M. Hayden (surely not Matthew!!), after nearly being out twice to well flighted deliveries from Jack Bowley, then hit the ball like his Australian namesake. Thirteen boundaries, including five sixes, must have had the local residents scurrying for cover. The visitors ended on a mammoth 271 runs from 40 overs and this could have been more but for Cameron Osborne taking 2-9 right at the end.

Openers, Fraser Mosley and Jack Bowley put on an impressive opening stand of 79 before Bowley was stumped for 23 trying to accelerate the run rate. Shortly afterwards, 15 year old Mosley, was out in a similar fashion but not before he had scored 53 runs which included some lovely drives. Cameron Osborne was joined by David Atkinson (15) and it was good to see Atkinson gaining in confidence with three beautiful straight drive fours before getting run out by a direct throw. Several wicket fell but Osborne continued in his merry way and was particularly severe on anything short. Skipper, Mike Quigley (25), who has been short of runs, joined him and started timing the ball well and they put on a partnership of 63. Newdigate finished on a creditable 202-7 with a smiling 14 year old Osborne finishing on 57 not out - his first senior fifty.