Newdigate CC 313-6 beat Woodmansterne CC 230-8

Turner fires Newdigate into Cup final

A fine batting performance from batsman Oliver Turner saw Newdigate U11 Colts march into the ESCL League Cup final this week at the expense of a shell shocked Woodmansterne opposition. This League Cup semi final was eagerly awaited by both teams and their loyal band of supporters and promised to be a close well fought affair. However what transpired was a display of brute power by Newdigate in both batting and bowling departments which proved far too much for the home team and seeing Newdigate running out easy victors by 83 runs.

On winning the toss Woodmansterne chose to send Newdigate into bat on a flat wicket and fast Woodmansterne Park outfield and a change to the Newdigate order saw openers Frankie Shipton (10 not out) and Joe Teague carefully feel their way against some accurate host bowling. The subsequent arrival of Tom Quigley and Oakley Wheeler (17 not out) to the wicket, the latter making the most of being restored to the line-up with some lusty blows kept the innings flowing and by the departure of this pair, Newdigate stood at 242 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Woodmansterne as expected fought back through bowlers Joe Dawson and Alex Sanden however and pinned down skipper Osborne and his partner Bennett whilst picking up a valuable wicket. As tense as the game was becoming, the pendulum suddenly swung dramatically towards Newdigate with the arrival of all rounder Oliver Turner to the crease. He simply plundered the home team attack to the tune of 35 not out, including 8 fours off only 15 deliveries in a truly game changing innings and with finishers George Warne (25) also hitting out ably supported by Jack Butler (9 not out) Newdigate posted a formidable looking 313-6 at tea.

Newdigate set about defending their total in spectacular fashion with opener George Warne taking two excellent wickets in the very first 2 balls and the game was in hindsight as good as won. By the tenth over Woodmansterne had managed to climb back up to 220-4 thanks to battling performances by batsmen De Souza (13), Gallon (10) and Harrington (6) after Turner (3-0-10-1) and Teague (3-1-3-1) supported by the busy Newdigate fielding and led admirably by Fenton Chambers, kept piling the pressure on with some excellent bowling. However any hint of a recovery was at that stage put paid to by the introduction of Tom Quigley (2-1-8-3) who tore into the middle order batsman with some accurate in-swinging yorkers. Newdigate proceeded to close out the game in a truly professional manner and the express pace of James Bennett (3-0-6-1) with Frankie Shipton (3-1-3-1), Turner and Warne (3-0-12-2) in support all ensured it would be Newdigate contesting this 2010 League Cup final.