Claygate v North Holmwood - 21st August
After securing promotion last weekend, Claygate needed a winning draw against second placed North Holmwood to ensure themselves of the Surrey Downs League second division title. Instead they won emphatically by 70 runs to take the league title with style!
Having won the toss, North Holmwood surprisingly fielded first, thinking the overcast conditions would favour the bowlers. Claygate saw off Darryl Goff their main bowling threat through good application by the two batting mainstays, Sahan Wijesekera (47) and Ross Carmichael (32). Having done all the hard work they both however fell before the home side had 100 on the board, leaving the Claygate innings in balance at 99 for 4. Man of the match Matt Holmes (55) and Steve Talboys (47) then crafted a 102 run partnership on a difficult batting track with some excellent running between the wickets. A minor collapse at the end left Claygate at 234 for 8 at the end of 48 overs.
North Holmwood started well and raced along at 6 an over against some erratic new ball bowling. But then Matt Holmes (2-26 off 8 overs) decisively turned the match Claygate's way by taking the two key wickets off successive deliveries. The middle order resisted well but skipper Vikram Prabhakar (2-9 off 5 overs) also took ‘two off two’ to leave North Holmwood tottering at 105 for 5. Luke Webb (3-37 off 9 overs) used his off cutters effectively on a wearing pitch and with Tom Mckinley (2-22 off 4.2 overs), brought Claygate the win by 70 runs and the league title.
Skipper Vikram Prabhakar said, "It’s been a very good season and a job well done but our batsmen will need to be consistent and contribute more to do well in the first division next year. Many thanks too to Phillipa Rae, Fergie and Jeff Meers who have also contributed towards a memorable season."
Secretary Rufus Legg said, "The team has played brilliantly throughout. The title is well deserved." President David Milner added, "After the promotion last weekend, I expected the team to win the title and they’ve done so in style."
The Second XI also won against third division leaders Horsley and Send. A victory for the Second XI in the last game of the season could give Claygate a double title, a feat last achieved by the club in 2004.
Off the field, local resident and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Woods visited the club in the afternoon. Spectators had a field day having photographs taken and obtaining autographs from the rock legend. We look forward to Ronnie playing for the club later this season!
|
|
