Henderson hit a ton
as Claygate draw the opener…
After winning the toss and
batting first on a damp Newdigate pitch, the home side raced to 67 for no loss.
The introduction of Sahan Wijesekera (2-29) and new off-spinner Rashid Ali
(2-47) put the brakes on as the innings meandered to 145 for 5. Luke Webb
bagged a wicket rediscovering some of his old form and Joel Watkins took a
stunning catch by diving full length to his side and latching on to the ball
inches off the ground. At this stage Claygate were in the hunt for an upset
win.
With the pitch drying up,
Zimbabwean Jason Wharam had other ideas as he smashed 10 sixes in an unbeaten
87 to enable Newdigate to declare at 257-6 off 45 overs.
Claygate started slowly but
solidly, reaching 87-3 off 20 overs. Jamie Henderson played a beautifully
constructed innings of 118 (20 fours and 2 sixes and anchored the chase, along
with Chris Howe, who showed glimpses of his class with 40 in a fourth wicket
stand of 105. The asking rate however had crept up to over 8 at the end of 35
overs which seemed manageable with Jamie heroically steaming along. However his
dismissal and a couple of other quick departures in the chase persuaded
Claygate to shut up shop against last year's runners up and ended at 228-8 to
achieve an honorable draw.
With 11 points from the
first game, Claygate host last year's First Division Champions Westcott next
week.
Playing the reverse fixture
against Newdigate at home, the seconds had a tight victory on a pitch that was
made for the medium pacer. With a wet wicket for the first time this seasons
the toss was all important and Claygate inserted the visitors on a wicket that
seamed and moved. With the score at 18-4 and then 55-6, the toss looked a good
one to win, but the visitors went on to compile 128. Opening bowlers Justin
Hannaford and Pete Shury were the stars with the ball each taking 3 wickets.
Scott Labacik also grabbed two.
Conditions dried throughout
the afternoon giving Claygate the better of the conditions for batting, but
even so, wickets fell and it took Jake Dear coming in at No7 with a hard
hitting 42 to really assure the victory. Rufus Legg and Dillon Wood both
contributed 20 and Scott Labacik rounded of a good day for him with a flourish
at the end finishing on 18 not out. Claygate won by 3 wickets...
