Reigate Priory 274-3 beat Newdigate CC 261-6

Reigate survive in late evening thriller

The final ESCL U11 game on Newdigate's busy schedule was duly played out by two highly competitive teams with the added bonus being a win for Reigate would hand them the ESCL U11 title. For the visitors a win would promise them a commendable third spot and a truly satisfying end to their League season.

Reigate Priory won the toss and elected to send Newdigate into bat on a wearing pitch on this balmy August evening watched by a healthily sized expectant crowd.  Openers Tom Quigley and James Bennett who have now forged a solid partnership at the top of the batting for Newdigate began well amidst some very fast Reigate bowling. Bennett (11 not out) in particular was lethal to anything short and wide of off stump whilst Quigley (7) flicked and drove assuredly and both were not phased by at times some threatening deliveries. Wilfrid Hoad and Matthew Appleton following up looked to consolidate and later force the pace however Reigate found ways through their defence eventually and with the advent of Jo Teague and Oakley Wheeler the home team's tails were up. It was during this pairing that a mild controversy surrounding a run-out (or not) off a No Ball emerged which was later settled amicably by both managers however the event merely served to underline Reigate's determination to take wickets wherever possible. Their momentum however was checked by 4^th pair Oliver Turner (15 not out) who batted superbly and keeper Fenton Chambers who stole runs where possible with some clever running, setting up a final push by George Warne (21 not out) and skipper Finn Osborne (11) who, with high class batting steered the visitors to a hard fought 261-6 at tea.

Reigate's batting has been a hallmark of their success this season and although Newdigate bowled at near their best and most accurate, runs were compiled in relatively regular fashion. Typically though and urged on by the irrepressible George Warne, Newdigate did not waver and eventually broke through via Wilfrid Hoad's accuracy in the seventh over. Reigate consolidated and approached the required 262 by the 17^th over however not before James Bennett (3-1-10-1) now also in the attack continued his good form with the ball by snaring a caught behind. The re-introduction of Oliver Turner at this point struck further dividends with a fine delivery to setup a tense finale. To their credit Reigate pulled in their horns and elected to look to strike the odd loose delivery and whilst Newdigate's Bennett, Teague (2-0-6-0), Quigley (3-0-9-0), Turner (3-0-19-1), Osborne (3-1-9-0) and Warne (3-0-5-0) all bowled well and perhaps deserved more for their toil Reigate were able to reach 268-3. Come the final over the sun had set and the ground was fast slipping into gloom though with such a prize awaiting, Reigate's batsmen stood firm defending the final over carefully to see their team home, thereby crowning them as the ESCL U11 League champions.

The crowd remained on edge as the game drew to its climax and whilst Newdigate could well have snatched victory here, their season ended with a very honourable defeat. It could be said that with such commitment and form of this calibre Newdigate's actual season ending next week in contesting the League Cup final might hold rewards for their consistently energetic, unflinching and unfailingly good performances throughout season 2010.