Sanderstead CC 271-8 beat Newdigate CC all out 247

Last Sunday a slightly under strength Newdigate U11 Colts made the journey over to Sanderstead to open their ESCL fixture schedule on an overcast and damp April morning.

Sanderstead won the toss and elected to bat first and the Newdigate bowling of George Warne and impressive Oliver Turner (3-0-4-3) kept the openers pinned to the crease for much of their stay. Further support from the ever improving Frankie Shipton, Oakley Wheeler (2-0-3-2) and Joe Teague (3-1-4-1) kept this pattern of restricting runs going until the final few overs whereby Sanderstead were only then able to accelerate and post a respectable 271-8. Newdigate fielding and overall bowling were good though was not helped by the tricky slow wicket and outfield and will no doubt improve again as the season progresses.

Newdigate themselves got off to a quiet start with Tom Quigley and Wilfrid Hoad bravely fending the opening overs and well disciplined batting from Wheeler and Shipton kept Newdigate in touch. It was not until keeper/batsman Finn Osborne (15) entered the fray with some great shots that Newdigate began to see daylight and there was little between the teams approaching the final few overs. Whilst skipper Warne (14) well partnered by Jack Butler (5 not out) as usual hit out with style the run chase proved too much to overhaul. A late wicket and fast, tight bowling by Sanderstead at the death saw the hosts home.

It was a good, evenly matched and entertaining game given the slow outfield and one which Newdigate will benefit from enormously in their upcoming matches.