Young team slips to disappointing defeat.

Newdigate 3^rd Xl 84 v Petworth 86-4

A very young Newdigate side travelled up to Petworth on a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon. After winning the toss visiting skipper Stephen Kehl chose to bat. This decision did not look a good one with the scoreboard reading 12-4 after 9 overs. Openers Atkinson and Kehl's younger brother Andrew fell cheaply for 4 and a 23 ball duck respectively. Mike Osbourne and his son Cam tried to steady the ship but when the senior fell followed next ball by his captain Newdigate were in trouble. Opening bowler A. Carter finished his spell with brilliant figures of 6-3-11-3. Cam's younger brother Finn batted bravely and the pair put on an 18 run partnership on a lively wicket. However another quick flurry of wickets left Newdigate reeling on 47-9. Colts Dan Goddard and Alex Miller batted determinedly and produced a 37 run partnership to leave Newdigate all out for 84. Miller was unbeaten on 18 and Goddard produced a valiant 17. This last wicket partnership brought some belief back to Newdigate who knew that on a lively track early wickets were key. Skipper Kehl came up with the goods and produced a fiery opening spell, ending with figures of 6-2-11-3. However, until Dev Patel came on the supporting bowlers did not back him up and after 12 overs Petworth were cruising on 49-3. Patel produced a tight spell to give Newdigate hope bowling his allotted 8 overs for only 18 wickets and prising away the prize scalp of number 4 Gledhill cheaply. However, despite some good bowling from Newdigate colts Alex Miller and Charlie Whylie, Petworth got home thanks to mature knocks from fellow colts D. Groves (28) and A. Carter 14. In a disappointing display from Newdigate, there were some positives to take away including Cam Osbourne's keeping which included a catch and very few byes.