First team starts with a victory over local rivals Esher
On a glorious sunny day feeling more like mid-May, Claygate started the season with a comprehensive 128 runs victory over local rivals Esher in a ‘friendly’ game on a true New Road pitch.
After having lost the toss and loosing Henry Vincent in the second over, Chris Howe and Dave Meers built an excellent partnership with Howe looking in imperious form right from the off contributing 83 in a second wicket stand of 105. After a familiar middle order collapse, the 7th, 8th and 9th wickets added 125 runs with Meers playing through the innings and scoring his maiden century for Claygate finishing on 117 not out from an excellent total of 258 for 8.
Esher were never in the hunt after a three wicket opening spell by Marcus Wood in his new avatar as a swing bowler before rising leg-spinner Ed Jones mopped up the middle order with three wickets. But the outfielding and the catching were outstanding with five terrific catches being caught and importantly none dropped.
Club Directions