30/05/09 - Kingston Methodist CC (A)

Newdigate 3rd XI 124 all out vs. Kingston Methodists 3rd X! 125-5

On a beautiful clear May Saturday the Newdigate 3rd XI began their 2009 season travelling to Kingston Methodists whose ground sits alongside the Thames and under the gaze of Hampton Court. Truly a fantastic setting. It was decided to play a 40 over match and Kingston won the toss and elected to insert Newdigate into bat on a drying, evenly paced pitch. Newdigate's innings got off to a careful partnership of 45 by the openers Matt Dilger and ‘keeper Darren Drew. Irritating his injured foo,t Drew was forced to use a runner late on however was shortly out thereafter for 23 with Dilger following after a steady knock of 24. Chris Perrin then hit an enterprising 30, increasing the run rate before holing out to deep square leg, but a steady fall of mid order wickets ensued and Newdigate could only muster a total of 124, skipper Quigley stemming the departures with 30 and a last wicket stand of 38 with Dave Keating. Kingston senses an easy victory and after the tea break moved quickly to 35 without loss before the intervention of Thomas Ball who bowled quite superbly for his final figures of 3-28. Dev Patel replaced the economic but unlucky opener Perrin and as usual bowled tight and threateningly for his 8 overs, returning 1-14. In truth Newdigate’s fielding and tight bowling made it difficult throughout for Kingston who were able to defend with regular bowling changes involving the Colts, Alex Miller and Will Roberts alongside Dave Keating limiting Kinston to 125-5 off 37 overs. In the end a deserved win to Kingston but ending in a tense finale.