Claygate flying high!
Two weekends, two closely fought games and two satisfactory wins.
This sums up the last two back-to-back away games over the last fortnight for Claygate. Recent results in the 1st Division of Surrey Downs League also suggest that there is not a lot between sides. Perseverance, consistency and form on the day is key.
Away at East Horsley, skipper Vikram Prabhakar chose to bat first after winning the toss on a green pitch. True to form, the Pennymead Lane pitch played well and Claygate soon raced to 165 for 2 after 29 overs. Lance Mayer (52 - 3 sixes and 8 fours) Ross Carmichael (38 - w2 sixes and 4 fours) and Sahan Wijesekera (46 - 3 sixes and 3 fours) took advantage of the slow pitch and a short boundary. Sahan's dismissal when he looked to change gear and chase quick runs led to a mini slide, but a positive 33* with two sixes by Sanjeeva Wijetunge and a useful knock by debutant colt Daniel Walker, (20 with 4 fours) enabled Claygate to declare at 254 for 8 after 46 overs. Skipper A Drake (4-64 off 15 overs) and M Dawe (2-62 off 15 overs) shared the bowling honours.
On a slow pitch with true bounce, East Horsley started positively in the hunt for the win and looking good at were 75 for 2 after 15 overs. Skipper Drake (83) was involved in a 58 run stand for the 3rd wicket with Carpenter (45) and then a 56 run stand for the 4th wicket with brother P Drake(28). East Horsley were in command at this stage and needed 100 to win off the last 16 overs with 7 wickets in hand, Vikram Prabhakar (2-36 off 7 overs) being the successful bowler at this stage.
Claygate however had different ideas and occasional left arm seamer Ross Carmichael (3-30 off 7 overs) and Sanjeeva Wijetunge (4-54 off 12.4 overs) then took centre stage. Aided by two brilliant catches by Chris Howe, either of which could be the champagne moment in the field for 2011, and good catching by Vikram Prabhakar(2), Scott Kanther and Sahan Wijesekera, Claygate managed to bowl out East Horsley for 232 with three overs to spare.
A near perfect 39 points from this 22 run win and favourable results elsewhere in the league this weekend have pushed Claygate to the top of the league for the second time this season with 370 points. North Holmwood are second placed with 333 points.
Claygate 2nd XI also won well keeping them up near the top of the Division 3 table. Battting first Claygate made 256 for 8 declared in 43 overs, Peter Andrews making 75, Jake Dear 61, Adrian Smith 29 and Craig Schultz 31.
Leg spinner Dillon Words retuned career best figures of 7-58 as Brockham Green could only reach 205. Woods efforts were supported by Scott Labacik 2/45, 3 stumpings for Adrian Smith. 40 points keeps Claygate near the top of Division 3 .
